Module 4: A health study-life balance Flashcards
Common factors to balance with studying
- Socializing
- Employment
- Volunteering
- Commuting
- Holidays
- Exercise
- Caring for a dependent or family member
- Hobbies/interests
Expectations and importance of study-life balance
- Time commitment
- Rest
- Plan
Time commitment expectations of students
Students aren’t expected to study 24 hours a day, 7 days a week; the expectation for a full-time university student is 30-35 hours of studying a week including lecture, labs, seminars
Importance of rest for study-life balance
Imp for brain to process new info; body needs exercise and sleep to keep it in proper state of alertness to focus on learning effectively
The impact of studying on well being and mental health
-Neg impact on relationships w family, friends and partners
-Interfere with ability to fulfil other non-study related obligations or interests
-Increase likelihood of unhealthy behaviours
Which unhealthy behaviours are likely increased with over-studying?
Smoking
Excessive alcohol or drugs use
Unhealthy eating
Feelings of loneliness and isolation
Anxiety/depressive symptoms
Increase risk of hopelessness
Self-harm
Benefits of achieving a healthy study-life balance
- Health and absences
- Efficiency
- Engagement
- Focus and concentration
- Academic success
Health and absences
Reduce worry and stress, trying to do too many things at once feeds worry and rumination
Efficiency
Having a healthy balance improves efficiency of work during the allotted study hours
Engagement
Supports greater connection to and interest in courses, lectures and relationships
Focus and concentration
Facilitates attention on the task at hand and staying present (mindfulness)
Academic success
Improves learning efficiency and productivity which is needed for academic success
Wheel of life
- Academic/professional
- Finances
- Health
- Family and friends
- Relationships/love
6 Personal growth - Recreation, culture and hobbies
- Physical environment
Self reflection questions to ask yourself when reflecting on your wheel of life
1.Balance: how would like it to look?
2.Overload: what areas are you spending too much time on?
3.Time on self and others
4.Changes to make
Connectedness
A personal sense of belonging
What can personally meaningful connections be made on the basis of?
World view
Environment
Values
Relationships
Work
Recreational interests
Examples of types of connections
- Other people
- The natural world
- Meaningful views
- Meaningful views
- Culture and heritage
Types of connections- other people
Family, friends, peers, colleagues
Types of connections- the natural world
All of the animals, plants and other things existing in nature and not made or caused by people, ie. Gardening, hiking, sightseeing
Types of connections- meaningful values
Faith-based activities, activities that reflect importance with family and or personal values
Types of connections- meaningful work
Work, hobbies, volunteering, passion projects
Types of connections- culture and heritage
Celebrating traditions, cultural holidays, relating to people and places from your past
Benefits of social connectedness
- Improve quality of life
- Boost mental health
- Increased life expectancy
- Decrease risk of suicide
- Build more inclusive learning activities
Benefits of social connectedness- improve quality of life
Social connection is an imp determinant of health and mental health
Benefits of social connectedness- boost mental health
Increased feelings of belonging, purpose, increased levels of happiness, reduced stress, improved self-worth and confidence
Benefits of social connectedness- increased life expectancy
Individuals with stronger social connections had a 50% increased likelihood of survival
Benefits of social connectedness- decrease risk of suicide
Protecting feelings of isolation, suicidal thoughts and behaviours
Benefits of social connectedness- build more inclusive learning environments
Compassion for self and for others; challenging stigma and discrimination (based on race, gender, sexuality, disability, worldview or mental state)
Loneliness
Sensation or unpleasant feeling that accompanies the perception that one’s social needs are not being met by the quantity or quality of one’s social connections
Effects of loneliness
-Increased cortisol (can lead to depression or stroke or heart attack)
-Increased sleep disturbances
-Reduced activity
-Increased risk of heart disease
-Challenge immune system
Forms of a lack of connection
Withdrawal, ignoring or being ignored, lack of support or approval, feeling of being abandoned
Important contributors to to self-harm in older adults
-Social exclusion
-Lack of social connectedness
-Loneliness
-Substance misuse
Does social media have an impact on loneliness scores?
No impact of social media on loneliness scores
Social prescribing
Holistic approach to health and mental health supporting nonclinical community-based activities to improve social connectedness, reduce loneliness and optimize well-being