International Student Ambassador Anuja shares how she cares for her mental health when university life gets busy.
The hustle and bustle of university is very exciting; you start new activities, jump into new experiences and explore who you want to be. But this can also be a bit overwhelming for students.
As a student at the University of Portsmouth myself, I deal with many positives and negatives – from meeting new friends to balancing study and work.
During times of mayhem and chaos, taking care of our mental health is of utmost importance. When I was an undergraduate psychology student, I was introduced to the PERMA model of happiness and I found it the easiest and seamless way to stay on top of my mental health.
The PERMA Model, proposed by American psychologist and father of positive psychology, Martin Seligman in the year 2011, is an effective way for me to have happiness and contentedness. PERMA stands for Positive emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning and Achievement, which are considered as the pillars and foundations of wellbeing and happiness.
Here’s my practical guide on how to put each of the pillars in practice:
Positive emotions
Engaging for at least an hour doing things that makes you happy. It can be a favorite hobby, or something one is passionate about, talking to a friend, playing games, and keeping oneself physically active.
Positive emotions of joy, happiness, contentedness must be cultivated in our lives to boost our mental health.
I love cooking, so at the end of the day to give myself positive emotions of joy and pleasure, I make myself a nice dinner!
Engagement
Getting busy with activities that generates a sense and feeling of “flow” – that’s when you are immersed in an activity completely and lose track of time.
Indulging in sports, or creative arts, cooking, photography, or any other activity that generate a sense of being completely ingrained and involved in it generates positive engagement.
Reading my favorite book makes me deeply involved and generates a sense of flow engagement and happiness for me.
Relationships
Forming new connections, fruitful and productive bonds and friends that helps in learning and growth is crucial in this model.
Maintaining existing bonds with family and friends which builds a sense of belonging and family, strengthening such bonds helps us be happy and satisfied.
I love chatting with my friends and sibling during the weekends and have fun, sharing a good laugh!
Meaning
In this model, meaning is thinking and pursuing the things that hold importance to ourselves.
That can be practicing spiritual activities- meditating, mindfulness, worshipping, praying, and believing in greater good that help you in cultivating positive emotions.
Volunteering for community, contributing towards something that fulfils your purpose as a human being.
I practice mindfulness regularly to work as a stress buster and make my vision clearer for myself and my potentialities!
Achievements
This is gaining personal and professional accomplishments or attainments of goals.
Celebrating small steps to achievements and practicing gratefulness helps boost self-esteem and self-confidence, which leads to feelings of joy and happiness.
Even failure is part of learning, preparing us for upcoming achievements!
Besides PERMA, some general tips I follow to boost my psychological health and well-being are taking enough rest and break, taking a day off a week - at least, traveling or staying home and relaxing, lazing around, and sleeping a bit longer!
Maintaining a routine has also helped me - however, don’t too strict with it, allow flexibility and make adjustments when needed. I do not forget to watch or read something positive and hopeful.
If things become too challenging, never hesitate to seek help.
It’s okay to not be okay, take it easy!