6 Ways to Wellbeing

Getting active doesn’t mean spending hours in the gym. It’s about finding activities you enjoy and can build into your daily routine to support your wellbeing.

Research shows that staying active benefits both physical and mental health. It can boost self-esteem, build a sense of control, and help you rise to challenges. These factors make physical activity a valuable part of maintaining and improving mental wellbeing.

According to Mind UK, regular physical activity is linked to lower rates of depression and anxiety across all age groups. It also helps slow age-related cognitive decline and supports overall wellbeing.

There are plenty of ways to add more movement into your day. Here are a few ideas:

• take the stairs instead of the lift, where possible
• go for a walk at lunchtime
• try living room yoga by following free videos online
• walk into university with a house or a course mate and catch up on the way
• get off the bus one stop early and walk the rest of the journey
• do some gentle stretching before you leave home in the morning.

Be active on campus with Team ARU

Team ARU offers a opportunities to get moving. From social sport sessions to competitive clubs, there’s something for everyone. Our campus gyms are equipped to support all fitness goals, whether you're just starting out or looking to push yourself further.

Visit aru.ac.uk/sport to see what's available.

NHS and Public Health England Guidance

The NHS Live Well exercise guidelines offer practical advice on staying active. You can also visit the NHS Fitness Studio, which features 24 instructor-led videos across aerobics, strength and resistance, pilates, and yoga.

Looking to start running? Download the Couch to 5K app for a simple, step-by-step programme. It’s available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

The food you eat affects your physical health, but it also has a strong connection to how you feel emotionally and mentally.

We’ve created a self-help booklet that explains the links between:

• the foods we eat
• how we feel emotionally and physically
• tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Eating well can help stabilise your energy, improve concentration, and support emotional wellbeing. A balanced diet plays a key role in how we feel day to day.

How does food affect our mood?

NHS and Public Health England Tips and Guidance

The NHS offers practical advice to help you eat healthily. You can explore:

• the 8 tips for healthy eating
• guidance on eating a balanced diet
• the One Easy Meals app, available on the Apple App Store or Google Play.

Sleep

Healthy sleep habits can make a big difference to your wellbeing. Good sleep hygiene refers to the routines and environments that support restful sleep.

Helpful tips and resources include:

• Looking after your sleep, guidance from the Centre for Clinical Interventions
• Sleep Diary (PDF) – track your sleep patterns
• SilverCloud's new Space for Sleep programme. Please email [email protected] for more information and details of how to access.

   

Feeling connected to others is essential for your wellbeing.

Being close to and valued by other people is a fundamental human need. Social relationships play a vital role in promoting wellbeing and can help reduce the risk of mental ill health at any age.

With this in mind, try doing something different today to make a meaningful connection:

• video call someone instead of texting
• speak to someone new today
• ask how someone’s weekend was and really listen to their response
• phone or meet someone you care about for a proper catch-up
• share good news and happy moments with those around you.

Students' Union

The Union offers plenty of opportunities to connect with others while trying out new activities and experiences. Take a look at the Give it a go' calendar on their website.

Wellbeing Workshops

Keep an eye on our Wellbeing Workshops booking page for updates on remote sessions. If you've previously attended a workshop and would like to request copies of presentations, feel free to contact us at [email protected].

Even the smallest act of kindness can make a difference.

Whether it’s a smile, a thank you, or a kind word, small gestures matter. Larger acts, like volunteering, can also boost your mental wellbeing and help you build new social connections.

Volunteering

Volunteering brings a range of benefits. It:

• helps you connect with others, make new friends and develop key social and relationship skills
• supports both body and mind by reducing stress and anxiety, building confidence, and giving a sense of purpose
• keeps you active, especially during times when you might not otherwise be
• can enhance your career prospects by helping you gain valuable skills and experience in a relevant or transferable areas.

Get involved at ARU Students' Union

Visit the The Union Volunteering for opportunities.

Become a Welcome Buddy

As a current ARU student, you have valuable insight into university life. By becoming a Welcome Buddy, you can help new students feel more confident and supported as they settle in.

You’ll be matched with a small group of new students and act as a friendly point of contact. You’ll introduce yourself before they arrive, then meet during Welcome or Teaching Week 1 to answer questions, offer guidance, and help them get to know the support available at ARU.

This voluntary scheme runs during your first semester and is a manageable time commitment.

Find out more about Welcome Buddies

Keep learning to support your wellbeing

Research shows that continuing to learn throughout adulthood and later life can have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing. As a student, you're here to learn, but informal learning for personal interest can feel different, and often very rewarding.

What do we mean by continued learning?

Learning is about gaining new knowledge, developing skills, and having new experiences that enrich your life. It can involve:

• taking a new educational or vocational course
• refining existing skills or developing new ones
• trying new tasks or activities you haven’t done before.

Broadening your mind helps you gain insight into life, yourself, and the world around you. All of which support your mental wellbeing.

What are the benefits?

• Increased self-esteem
• More social interaction
• A stronger sense of hope and purpose
• Better ability to cope with stress

Ideas to try

• Read a book in a new genre or join a book club
• Explore local CPD (continued professional development) opportunities
• Volunteer through the Students' Union and learn a new skill
• Take an evening course such as photography or a new language at a community college or centre
• Stay up to date with local and national news
• Learn a new computer skill to boost your employability

Study Skills Plus

Study Skills Plus offers a range of resources for home learning. You can create your own programme from these activities and resources, to enhance your chances of academic and personal success.

Take notice to support your wellbeing

Reminding yourself to take notice of the present moment can strengthen your awareness and improve your mental wellbeing. Studies show that being mindful of what’s happening around you can help reaffirm your priorities and support positive decision-making. It also enhances self-understanding and helps you make choices that reflect your values and motivations.

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is an ancient Buddhist practice that involves paying attention on purpose, in the present moment, and without judgment. It’s a simple but powerful way to increase awareness, clarity, and acceptance of your current experience.

You can explore mindfulness in your own time and in a way that suits you. These techniques can help you feel calmer and more focused:

• Mindful breathing
• Mindfulness for busy people

Practising mindfulness regularly can help clear your mind and support your wellbeing.