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Good health and wellbeing can be maintained on a daily basis by following a few useful tips. Every week a new tip pertaining to good physical, mental and emotional health will be made available via the JCUMSA facebook page. The information will subsequently appear in this space. Please keep an eye out for the easy to use advice which is designed to benefit all medical students equally
#1: Ensure you get sufficient sleep regularly
Despite however busy you may be, remember that sleep is important for our learning, stress relief, memory and happiness.
For more information visit: http://healthysleep.med.harvard.edu/need-sleep/whats-in-it-for-you/health
#2 Be sure to eat a healthy diet consisting of plenty of fruit and vegetables
It’s always tempting to eat an unhealthy meal after a long day of studying, but rather than rewarding yourself you may be adversely affecting your mental health. To help with making the healthier option the easier option I have provided a link for quick and easy recipes and an article detailing the benefits of good food on your wellbeing. After all you are what you eat.
For more information visit: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/recipes/healthy/quick-and-healthy/ and www.uq.edu.au/student-services/tiki-download_file.php?fileId=181
#3 Keep in contact with friends and family
Keeping in contact with your friends and family is an excellent way to maintain good wellbeing. The people closest to you make a wonderful support network to help you manage life’s many challenges.
After all, “A true friend never gets in your way unless you happen to be going down”.
For more information visit:
http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/the-importance-of-friends
#4 Take time out to relax
As university students we all lead very busy lives as we juggle our academic and social commitments. When things become too hectic it is always good to take some time out of your schedule to relax. Relaxing can involve reading, exercising or listening to music and should be done regularly to help you wind down and re-focus.
For effective relaxing in 1 minute, listen to: http://www.takeyourminute.co.uk/
#5 Get involved in the local community
An excellent way to look after your emotional and mental health is to volunteer and get involved in the community. This allows you to meet new people, undergo new experiences and contribute towards an important cause.
Townsville Bulletin Calender of Events http://tools.townsvillebulletin.com.au/calendar/calendar-community.php
#6 Connect your mind, body and soul to re-focus 
A popular way to do this is to use yoga. Yoga is and is readily taught in the community. It aims to unite the mind, body and spirit and has been shown to benefit a multitude of medical conditions such as insomnia, anxiety and depression.
Yoga in Townsville:
#7 Set yourself realistic goals.
Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Breaking down large tasks into smaller, manageable goals is one way to keep spirits high and continue progress. Make lists, keep diaries of daily tasks and congratulate yourself when you complete them.
#8 Be compassionate
Compassion is one of the main tools required to become a doctor, but can be easily overlooked. As future doctors, our drive to care for others is arguably a fundamental encouraging factor to overcome the hurdles that medical school presents. If you are finding that you’re losing motivation in your studies, be sure to watch this video for inspiration as Salmaan, a medical student, explains his personal story regarding compassion and motivation in medical school and health care.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=UxaT-YxQds4
This is more about the Charter for Compassion that Salmaan goes on to explain
http://charterforcompassion.org/news-and-events/article/62
#9 Devote 6 mins to a book you enjoy 
Take 6 minutes out of your schedule to read a book you enjoy! Research has shown that just 6 minutes of reading can reduce stress by up to two thirds. Any book you find interesting will enhance your creativity, allow you to escape from your worries and essentially cause you to enter an altered state of consciousness.
For more information visit: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/5070874/Reading-can-help-reduce-stress.html
#10 Exercise regularly
As our studies continue on it is still important to keep up with our physical exercise. So why not attend Raf’s Boot Camp which is held every Saturday from 5pm on the cricket field behind the gym. All you have to do is bring five dollars, water and a friend to enjoy a healthy work out. For more information join the face book page.
#11 Exam stress
Exams are fast approaching and if you feel that stress has kicked in for you, here are a few suggestions for managing it:
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Learn how to say ‘no’ - don’t accept additional responsibilities from others if you are unable to manage
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Avoid others who stress you out
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Keep the bigger picture in mind
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Stay positive
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Set yourself reasonable goals
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Take the time to enjoy yourself
#12 Set goals
To ensure a good start to the semester it is wise to set goals for this study period. Reflect on your
past efforts and think about how you would like to improve. Your goals do not have to only be
academically oriented, but (for example) can be sporting or philanthropically relevant.
Here is a simple 3 step process for setting goals:
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1. Define your goals
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2. Set subgoals -> What else needs to be done along the way?
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3. Devise a realistic plan-> Be specific about when and how each subgoal needs to be completed.
And remember, “Never mistake motion for action”.
More information at: http://au.reachout.com/find/articles/setting-goals
#13 Do one good deed a day
It may seem easier said than done, but being actively helpful not only benefits others; it also improves your own mental health. For example research has shown that volunteering improves life satisfaction, social interaction, healthy behaviours and coping abilities.
So next time you are in a position to assist someone else, do not hesitate, but do your one good deed for the day! |