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Your Wellbeing

Here at Sanctuary Students, we want to ensure you enjoy the best university experience possible while living a happy and healthy life.

We understand that moving away from home can be stressful and with the pressures of everyday life too, you may need a little extra support from time to time.

When it comes to mental health, if you or a friend is struggling with the strains that university life can bring, you are not alone. Thousands of students are affected across the UK and there’s a good chance people you know are going through the same thing.

It’s important you don’t suffer in silence - talk it through with someone. Whether it’s a friend, family member, your GP or university lecturer, sharing your feelings will help.

There are plenty of avenues of support you can turn to, including our Student Advice Line from our partners at Health Assured. Your health is our priority and that’s why we offer professional support to help you with any problems you may face from stress and depression to financial issues and coping. The phone line is open day and night, 365 days a year and everything you discuss is kept confidential so there’s nothing to worry about.

Call the freephone number on 0800 030 5182 – we are here as often as you need us for as long as you like.

Alternatively, there are other helplines you can get in touch with or websites for tips and self help:

Samaritans

Freephone: 116 123
Open 24- hours a day
Web: Samaritans.org

Sane Support Forum

Web: sane.org.uk
Mental health forum for discussion and support

The Mix

Freephone: 0808 808 4994
Open 11am-11pm
Text: THE MIX to 85258
Web: themix.org.uk/get-support

Anxiety UK

Phone: 03444 775 774
Open Monday-Friday
9:30am-5:30pm

Here are our top 5 tips that may help:

  1. Eat nutritious, healthy meals

Eating a well-balanced diet and looking after yourself can lift your mood as well as giving you more energy. If you are an anxious or stressed person, cut down on your caffeine intake. Don’t forget breakfast is the most important meal of the day!

  1. Exercise regularly

Being active is proven to lift your mood as your body releases mood-boosting chemicals to your brain; it also gives you something to focus your mind on. You don’t need to run a marathon; just a short walk may help. It can also help you get a good night’s sleep which leads us on to…

  1. Get plenty of sleep

Sleep is really important and lack of it can contribute towards problems. While we sleep our bodies regulate the chemicals in our brains that transmit information which manages our moods and emotions. Try to get 8 hours a night - you’ll feel refreshed in the morning and ready to take on the day.

  1. Set realistic goals

You may be finding the simplest day-to-day tasks unmanageable so setting small and achievable goals such as getting out of bed or having a shower can benefit mental health and help you stay productive. Increase your goals when you feel you can but remember to not push yourself too hard or put too much pressure on yourself.

  1. Avoid alcohol and drugs

Go out, spend time with friends and enjoy yourself, but we suggest keeping alcohol use to a minimum and try to avoid other drugs as they will only aggravate the problem. Although alcohol and drugs may give you a boost or relax you at the time, think of the long term effects.