“What I do to look after my mental health”
Lucy, a third year PhD Theatre and Performance student at USW, tells us how she looks after her mental health. Being a remote learner can be isolating, but Lucy has shared a few things that she does to help her overcome this.
I’m Lucy and I’m just starting my 3rd year of a PhD in theatre and performance. I’m researching newcomer experience to amateur theatre to understand how groups manage access and inclusion. Previously I did my BA and MA at USW, so I’ve been here a while!
I live in Gloucester with my husband and our two cats, and mostly work from home. I pop up to Cardiff a few times a year to see my supervisors and visit the library. Being a distance learner can be quite isolating, especially when doing a PhD because it’s a very unique experience. I tackle this by being a member of online PhD communities where I can connect with others who are in the same boat as me. Besides that, working from home is great for me – I can be flexible with my schedule, take breaks when I need them, and wear pyjamas. If you’re a PhD student who’s starting their research journey as a distance learner, my advice is find a workday that works for you – you don’t have to do 9-5! And try to get into the habit of taking regular breaks, it can be so easy to get sucked down a research rabbit-hole and forget to eat.
Looking after my mental health is really important for me because I’ve got Borderline Personality Disorder. It’s a mental illness which means I sometimes struggle to cope with everyday life in a way that people without the disorder may not understand. I do a couple of things to make sure I stay well, like ensuring I get a good amount of sleep each night, eating healthily but also allowing myself to enjoy food (I never say no to dessert!), and making sure I spend time with my friends and family whilst also ensuring I get enough alone time to decompress when I need to. But my favourite thing that I do to look after my mental health is paddleboarding. In Gloucester we’ve got a couple of rivers nearby, and I love getting out on my board. The river is so peaceful, and I get to see so much wildlife. It’s also quite the workout, especially if you fall in!
It’s really important to be honest if you’re struggling with your mental health. USW has always been really supportive of me during difficult times and there’s a wealth of wellbeing support available to you if you need it.
