Although people outside and even within your doctoral environment might not fully understand your work, this is not always a bad thing.

Stepping outside the world of academia can help you gain a different perspective and overcome challenges.  Read this article from The Wellbeing Thesis to find out more.

resource is journal article

Having good support from friends and family has been found to predict stronger mental wellbeing and lower levels of stress. Read more in this journal article.

Here are some tips on finding friends at university as a doctoral student...

...and on how to keep your friends and family involved in your doctoral experience.

Milensu, a PhD student in London, talks about the importance of finding people who have got your back and of connecting with others similar to you.