RUSU Compass and RMIT Wellbeing have compiled a range of calming activities and strategies below. You can choose from a range of different activities to help support your study stress during this period. We hope this virtual Calm Zone can remind you that RUSU and RMIT are still here to help you. Please reach out if you need us.
The Calm Zone is a collaborative project between RUSU Compass and RMIT Wellbeing. Join the RMIT Together Facebook Group for more resources. Please download our 2021 Calm Zone postcards and keep an eye out for them when you are next on campus (they are designed by RMIT Students!)
The benefits of mindfulness for our well-being and mental health have been well documented. Practising mindfulness essentially means being present in this moment. Mindfulness can alleviate anxiety and worry for the future, by bringing our focus back to our current situation or task at hand.
- Headspace on YouTube
- Relaxation Exrercises from Beyond Blue
- Benefits of Mindfulness by Sane Australia
- Free Mindfulness App: Smiling Mind
- Guided Meditation from RMIT Together
- 9 Ways To De-Stress
- 50 Ways to Take a Break
- Box Breathing Instructions
- How to make a Vision Board
- Sleeping Hacks
- Meditation & Healing (YouTube)
- Zen Sound Meditation
- Creative Visualisation Meditation
- Healing Meditation
Finding the right calming activity for you is an individual experience. Once you find something that works for you - use it! Calming activities can help us feel more grounded, as we are bringing our awareness away from our stressed mind and into our body. These activities engage and distract our minds, allowing us to enter a trance-like flow. Try one of the activities below, and see how it feels!
- Download a calming wallpaper
- How to make a Gratitude Journal
- Word Search
- Sudoku (Easy)
- DIY Body Scrubs
- Learn how to garden
- Therapy Dogs
- Catalyst: Student Magazine
- RUSU Arts & Crafts Video
- Calm Focus (Spotify)
- Deep Focus (Spotify)
- Study & Chill Lofi Hiphop (Spotify)
- All Nighter (Spotify)
Physical Health is an important aspect of our holistic well-being. Eating well can support our brain function and ability to make decisions. There is a double bonus to this activity, as cooking can also be a useful strategy to distract ourselves from stress and worry.
- Healthy Food Swaps
Creativity has proven benefits on our wellbeing - even if you don't see yourself as creative, making time to enjoy drawing, painting, singing, dancing, writing or crafts makes us feel better and is a great way of communicating about difficult topics. Check out these creative wellbeing artworks, activities and resources created by RMIT Students just like you!
- Creative Wellbeing Festival
- Visit the Affirmation Exchange
- Video Affirmations
- Affirmations for phone wallpaper
- Creative Wellbeing Zine "Day by Day"
- Creative Wellbeing Online Game "Life in Progress"
- Creative Wellbeing Mini Documentary Series "Oruko Yoruba"
- Creative Wellbeing virtual reality space "Fessona"
- Break and Create
Moving our body can be an effective way to release emotions. Physical activity can helps us lift those heavy feeling off our shoulders and at the same time, encourage deep breathing. Run, dance or stretch... something is always better than nothing.
- Stay Fit at Home Exercises
- RMIT Exercise Self Help Page
- Yoga with Adriene (YouTube)
- Yoga with Sarah Beth (YouTube)
- Popsugar Fitness (YouTube)
- RUSU Fit Tips: Working Out at Home
- Benefit of exercise on the brain
- Laughter Yoga
Connection with peers is so important for our wellbeing. There are loads of online spaces for connection, but when possible there are also lots of opportunities to be together face–to–face in a COVID safe way which is super exciting! See below for both online and face–to–face resources:
- RUSU Facebook
- RUSU Instagram
- RUSU Events
- RUSU Clubs
- RMIT Clubs & Collectives
- RMIT Together Facebook Group
- RMIT Break and Create
- Melbourne Meet–Ups
- RUOK Day RUSU Reps Message (YouTube)
- RUSU Queer Department
- Ngarara Willim Centre
The counselling service is still open and is providing student Skype or phone call appointments. Book online here for a free appointment:
https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/student-support/counselling/book-an-appointment
You may be eligible for a Student Hardship Assistance of up to $1000 in vouchers or cash grants to cover the cost of food, travel or other living or essential expenses.
Follow this link to see if you are eligible:
Compass is still here to support you while we are working from home. Compass Coordinators are trained social workers who can provide you support, referral information and advice on a range of issues. At the moment, we have been speaking to lots of students regarding issues such as financial hardship, voucher support, mental health, study support and housing issues. Please email us at compass@rmit.edu.au to contact us Monday to Thursday 10:00am—4:00pm.
FREE freshly made frozen meals at St Peter’s Eastern Hill which is located at the corner of Albert and Gisborne Streets in East Melbourne—just next door to Parliament gardens. Meals can be collected from St Peter’s between 9:30am and 11:30am Monday to Friday. Find out more.
FREE food for International students including fresh products, pantry and staple items. Students simply need to bring along a shopping bag or cart, along with a Student ID. Located at Aurora Melbourne Central, 230 LaTrobe Street, Melbourne, the Pop-Up Store is open 10am – 2pm every Monday, Wednesday and Friday (excluding public holidays). Visit foodbank.org.au for more information.
For a list of more free food resources visit RUSU’s Community resources page at: rusu.rmit.edu.au/rusuresources
Some of the following telephone numbers may be busy at the moment. If you find yourself waiting on hold, hang up and try again, or hang up and try a different helpline. Lifeline and Beyond Blue are available 24 hours a day. RMIT Urgent Mental Health Support is an after hours service. In the event of an emergency, phone 000 straight away.
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
RMIT After Hours Urgent Mental Health Support:
Call: 1300 305 737
Text: 0488 884 162
If you are an RMIT student currently overseas and require medical, security or other emergency assistance, help is available to you.
