Arts Insights: Four tips for taking care of your mental health and managing stress

It’s that time of year again – when the glory days of the holiday break have worn off and school, work, social life, extracurricular activities and family obligations begin to multiply. But often while attempting to make time for all these life commitments, it’s easy to forget that our mental health needs attention too (and a whole lot of love).

Mental health affects us all in one way or another, and stress can add up over time. But there are strategies to manage stress and anxiety that might make life a little lighter and easier. We asked members of the UBC Arts community to share their tips on how they manage stress and enhance wellbeing.

Organize your schedule

“Have a good visualization of your timetable (e.g. planner, organizer, calendar) – when you have to do things, and how long it should take. It serves to give you a good overview of what you’re doing, how much time everything is taking, and that might be enough to convince you to drop some things or to be more efficient in others.”

Benjamin Cheung, Lecturer, Department of Psychology

For more tips on wellbeing from Benjamin Cheung, read his Q&A with UBC Human Resources.

Stay in touch with friends and family

“Something that’s always been able to help me is contacting some of my friends and making sure that I keep in touch with my family. It’s always nice to give them a call and it makes me feel a lot better and supported. So, make sure you guys do that throughout this week and for the rest of the semester.”

Kat Aquino, President at the Arts Undergraduate Society

Stay active

There are plenty of ways to stay active and healthy – from yoga to kick boxing to track and field sports. Find one that makes you happy and stick with it to help balance out your routine and give you a break from those hectic deadlines.

“Dancing keeps me fit, allows me to be creative and lets me be in tune with my soul. It’s an escape from the stress of my everyday life.”

Dannielle Piper, Student in the School of Journalism

Try a mini-meditation

“Take a deep breath and think of the bigger picture. Some small things that stress us may not matter in the near future. Finally, remember that you are not alone. Talk to a friend or one of the multiple resources on campus.”

Jovin Shumbusho, Arts student and Peer Advisor

Resources

If you’re feeling stressed, anxious or have questions about navigating life as a student, consider taking advantage of these resources and in-person support options at UBC. 

• Counselling Services – Wellness Advisors are trained Masters-level counsellors who meet students for a one-time 15-20 minute assessment. They’ll listen to your needs and connect you with resources to best help you reach your goals.
• Speakeasy – Free confidential, one-on-one peer support for problems like academic stress, exam anxiety, and more.
• Crisis support – Reach out for immediate help if you or someone else is in danger, or at risk of harming yourself or others.
• Arts Peer Academic Coaches – Coaches can help you discuss prioritizing time, walking through an academic task or getting involved.
• More Student Health Resources