Have you got a place you truly feel happy at university? When you’re juggling uni stress, a social life, future career prep, and living on your own, finding the activity or destination that helps you relax is really important.
As it’s University Mental Health Day today, there’s no better time to focus our attention away from negativity and towards those simple things that bring pleasure to our lives.
So what is a happy place?
Your ‘happy place’ is somewhere you can escape the stress and pressures of student life; it could be a place, memory, situation, or even an activity that makes you feel completely at ease.
It’s no secret that anxiety, stress and depression is becoming more common amongst uni students. In fact, in 2015/16 over15,000 1st year University students in the UK reported that they had a mental health problem, compared to just 3,000 in 2006. Four years on and the numbers are still climbing, so if you’re struggling with your mental health and wellbeing at uni, try to remember you’re never alone. We all have mental health, and we all need to take care of it.
Finding your happy place, is one way you can help improve your mood and wellbeing whenever you’re feeling a little down at uni. Many people say being outdoors, or a place that people might think of as peaceful is a great happy place. But happy places involve a combination of factors, unique to everyone, but one thing’s for certain - we all have one, it’s simply a case of finding out where it is and how best to use it.
Here are some tips on how to find your happy place...
Think of the last place where you were truly happy. It can be anywhere, from listening to music in your uni pad to enjoying the peacefulness of the library or sitting on a bench having a meaningful chat with a friend. Think about what made you so happy about being there - was it the beautiful scenery, the sense of peace, or the feeling that you’re pushing yourself to new limits? This should open up new ideas about the kind of activities and surroundings that truly speak to you and your inner self.
For example, if it’s a nearby park, you could make a commitment to go there every day. Whether you take a slow stroll, soaking up your surroundings, or togo for a 20-minute intensive run, or play with a friendly dog. Really immerse yourself in your surroundings, take in the sights, the smells, the colours, everything that works together to boost your mood.
Becoming one with nature is a common source of joy for many people, but yours might be sat at a quaint railway station, watching trains rush by, full of people living their own complex lives, or even watching planes fly overhead heading to far-flung destinations.
Everyone has their own special happy place, you just need to sit back and discover which is yours, and use this knowledge whenever you’re feeling sad or anxious at university.
Know that this place, or something just like it, will always be there for you when you need it.. The beauty of happiness is that it’s a state of mind. The next time you find yourself in a place that brings you joy at uni, take some time to savour the moment. That’s what finding a happy place is all about.