Life at Allens

Tips for building resilience & wellbeing

It's normal to feel overwhelmed and uncertain at times, especially when things beyond our control are constantly evolving. Now, with COVID-19 impacting so many areas of our lives – study, work and family commitments – things can feel more stressful than usual. In this environment, it's important that we work on strengthening our ability to cope with these changes and to proactively maintain wellbeing.  

Resilience is our ability to 'bounce back' from setbacks and arrive at a better state than before. The good news is that resilience can be learned and developed. By taking time to focus on building good habits, you will be better equipped with the skills and tools you need for protecting your mental health and wellbeing.

Here are some of our top suggestions to help build resilience in your everyday life:

1. Find clarity & purpose – set up a schedule and routine for your days. Organise your day as you would normally and follow this routine. Make sure you are aware of what you want to get done, whether this is study, lectures, household chores etc. Breaking down your 'to do' list will make you feel more organised and set you up for a productive day.
2. Take care of yourself – look after yourself and pay attention to how you feel. Make sure you spend time doing things you enjoy and that energise you. Also take time out of your day to be active – go for a morning walk, do a yoga sequence or just get outdoors.
3. Connect with others – this can be with your friends, family or even your pet! Maintaining social connections and having meaningful conversations with people are critical at this time. Really listen to what others have to say and ask questions you genuinely want answered. Consider organising a virtual coffee or a lunch date; or reach out to old friends you might not have spoken to in a while.
4. Work towards goals – set realistic goals for yourself and work towards these regularly. Break down tasks into small, bitesize chunks. Focus on what you have done, and what direction you want to go. Compare your performance to yesterday, not to six months ago when circumstances were wildly different. Celebrate your small accomplishments and achievements. These goals don't have to be academic and could be about discovering a new hobby or activity. Be creative and think about something you are passionate about.
5. Be mindful – being present helps us view things with more clarity and helps us avoid becoming overwhelmed. Acknowledge your feelings and thoughts, even if they are negative, and recognise when it's necessary to 'reframe' them.

What works for you might not work for someone else. Experiment with these strategies to find out what combination encourages you to be the most resilient version of yourself.

If you would like additional support during this time, take our Healthy habits quiz or access resources from organisations such as Black Dog Institute or This Way Up.