Tuesday 04-04-2017 - 09:00

Happy April everybody!

Me and the whole UCSU team wish you have all had a forward-moving March (pardon the pun), and have an even better month this April.

Even though the 'Make their Day March', (inititated by our wonderful and inspiring Inclusion Society) is officially over, there's no reason why we can't carry over our new habits of making the daily effort to be nice to all those who we encounter, in life. Keep on being kind and compassionate! :)

In this article, I will be mentioning some of the UCSU's/UoC's activity done by myself and some of my good colleagues, notify you of any upcoming events that may take your interest, and providing some more material and input about what I feel is passionate for enchancing your time at University (such as emotional and mental well-being).

I will also be doing a new and experimental piece to this article, which is a quick and easy exercise which may really help your mental health & wellbeing!

1) Some Quick Reminders & Updates:

A) In my last article, I mentioned Katie's and Bernie's noble Marathon campaigns. Please give anything you can!

- Katie Banks: Marathon for the Cystic Fibrosis Trust

Kate Banks has also been working hard to train for her marathon next month to raise money for the Cystic Fibrosis trust; and has also planned and played a wonderful concert in Dalston to raise funds. If you want to help in the fight against this disease and have some spare change to donate to Katie's Just Giving page, please do so!

- Bernie Simpson's Marathon fundraiser for the Anthony Nolan Cancer Research Charity

Bernie, one of our most treasured members of the Estates team at Fusehill street, has also been training to do a charity marathon for the Anthony Nolan Cancer Research, which is also very soon! If you feel strongly about fighting and beating cancer, you can donate to his Just Giving page.

B) NHS Rally on the 8th of April, Carlisle- THIS Saturday. If you're passionate about doing what you can to save our NHS, then join in with the demo. There will be Political Representatives and speakers from all across Cumbria to join in. Just meet the group outside the Tourist information point in the town centre at 12pm.

C) UCSU Success Awards. The cover-image for this article is just to show that in the right circumstances, your Welfare & Support Officer CAN scrub up smartly! Everyone is still buzzing from an amazingly feel-good night. A big thanks to Jeanne Gate (UCSU's Sales & Events Co-ordinator) Bethany Cutter (Community & Partnership Officer) and Theresa Pellegrino (Academic Officer) for having the main parts in making this wonderful event happen as successfully as it did. You can see the highlights of the evening, here: http://www.ucsu.me/articles/success-award-winners-2017

D) Make A Difference (M.A.D.) day- Rickerby Park. On each 2nd Saturday of the month, the 'Friends of Rickerby Park' provide a wonderful Volunteering opportunity to anyone willing to get some gardening gloves on and maintain/restore the beautiful place that Rickerby park is. Send me your enquiry for more information, if you're interested.

E) Personal campaign. It is one of my big plans to get more menu options for students with dietary requirements (focussing on Vegan and Gluten-Free recipes) for our catering teams to utilise new recipes to cater for more of our members. I have already been discussing recipe ideas with the Calva bar staff- but we could also use your help and suggestions, too! If you want to see any more delicious menu options, then message me what they are.

F) UoC Road Runner's Club. The LAST session of the Running Club is THIS Wednesday at 5pm. If you want to have a fun-time getting fit, amongst a group of highly supportive and friendly staff and students- then this is an opportunity not to be missed. Get your running shoes and come along!

Mindfulness Exercise

In previous articles, I have been highly endorsing the 'Headspace' app- it's an amazingly simple, effective, fun and clear way to learn and apply mindfulness to your life. UCSU is offering you FREE access codes to have it for a year, without having to spend £84.
All you have to do is do the ''Take-10'' after installing the app, which is doing 10 exercises, that last 10 minutes, one a day. Then, you can redeem the code (you just have to ask)!

Here is how the Foundation exercise go, which is in the 'Take 10'. Please Note: This is just a brief over-view of what the exercise is, to be treated only as a preliminary 'taster'. The full benefits can be only attained through using 'Headspace' directly.

Foundation Headspace Exercise- 10 Minutes.

1. Find a quiet, moderately warm and comfortable place to sit in a relaxed, upright position.
2. Take 3-5 slow, deep breaths. In through the nose, and out through the mouth.
3. Then, on an out-breath, gently close your eyes, and relax into the natural rhythm of your breathing; just through your nose. Notice how each breath is different from the last. Notice the area in your body where you feel the breath moving, the most- is it the nose, the throat, the chest- or the belly?
4. Settle into your surroundings. Notice, but do your best not to judge or label, any surrounding noises, smells, physical sensations (comfortable or uncomfortable), and the points of physical contact. Feet/knees on the floor, and hands on the legs. Just simply be with those sensations.
5. Each time you get distracted by a thought that intrudes into the experience (this happens every time, to everyone- so there's no need to get frustrated), then simply be aware that you got distracted; and gently return your attention back to the breath. What state is your breath in, right now?
6. Now, you can start to 'Scan' your body. Imagine a horizontal line, travelling through your body- from head to toe. This is best done in a relaxed and non-judging perspective. What sensations and over-lying emotion can you detect, as you scan? Do this for several breaths.
7. Remember to 'Just be' with any mood, sensation or feeling that you find. Just notice, and accept it.
8. Once you're done scanning, you can then keep focussed on your meditation by just counting your breaths- up to a count of 10. In-1, Out-2, 3-In, Out-4, and so on. Once you get to 10, just start again at 1.
9. Do this 3, maybe 4 or 5 times. Then, let go of any focus you have on your body, surroundings, sensations and mood. Just let your mind be completely free for a few moments (What does that feel like?).
10. Finally, return your attention to the breath. After a moment, you can return your attention to your surroundings, and gently open your eyes. Pause for a moment, notice how you feel- is it different to when you first started this exercise? Have a stretch. Decide if you feel better (and if you do, then install Headspace! :D )

I look forward to seeing you soon.

Warmest Wishes,

Rowan.