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.
- 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!
- Stress Less Activity Book 2021
- Compass Stress Less Activity Book (2020)
- Download a calming wallpaper
- How to make a Gratitude Journal
- Stress Relieving Play Dough
- Colouring Sheets
- Word Search
- Sudoku (Easy)
- Sudoku (Medium)
- DIY Body Scrubs
- Learn how to garden
- Try some calming crafts
- Therapy Dogs
- Cute Little Puppies!
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
We can use music to engage our sense of hearing and distract ourselves from our busy head space. Listening to chilled music can help us focus and concentrate on our task at hand.
- Calm Focus (Spotify)
- Deep Focus (Spotify)
- Study & Chill Lofi Hiphop (Spotify)
- All Nighter (Spotify)
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
Connection with peers is so important for our wellbeing. There are loads of online spaces for connection, but now that we are back on campus 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:
- Follow RUSU on Facebook and Instagram
– Stay up to date with RUSU Events with our Eventbrite link
- RUSU Clubs
- RMIT Clubs & Collectives
- RMIT Together Facebook Group
- RMIT Creative Online
- RMIT Break and Create
- Melbourne Meet–Ups
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
RMIT Connect is providing financial support including cash grants and vouchers to students experiencing extreme financial crisis. Book an appointment with a Student Welfare Advisor to discuss the support you may be eligible for.
www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-and-facilities/student-support/finance/financial-support-assistance/covid-19-support-and-assistance
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.
Compass can now provide students with a Pantry Pack which includes ingredients for a main meal, breakfast, snack, tea and coffee. To access a Pantry Pack please email Compass at compass@rmit.edu.au
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. For more information please contact Alae Taulealo at alae.taulealo@rmit.edu.au
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 https://www.foodbank.org.au/students/?state=vic for more information.
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 Crisis Support is an after hours service. In the event of an emergency, phone 000 straight away.
If you are an RMIT student currently overseas and require medical, security or other emergency assistance, help is available to you.
