Hi there, I’m Scarlet. I am a third year War Studies student. Like all students, I am constantly exposed to deadlines throughout the year, which is incredibly stressful. I can often feel quite alone studying cooped up inside, which is why I have to remind myself that so many other people feel like this, and together, we’ve got this! 

Being in the sprawling city of London can sometimes be overwhelming. For me, it was definitely a culture shock when I looked outside of my window and saw building after building, rather than fields! One interesting thing that I found out, was that London is actually the greenest major city in Europe, and third in the world! There are green spaces where you wouldn’t think, and you often have to look, or just wander around and accidentally stumble upon a ocket park just off a busy street. 

For me, green spaces have always relaxed me, but it wasn’t until I came to London that I learnt there is research to evidence this. Being surrounded by green spaces not only reduces anxiety, but also improves immunity. It is recommended that we spend 10-30 minutes a day in nature, as it can lower our levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.  

There are lots of ways you can spend time in nature, read some of our tips below: 

Get involved with a student group 

Some student groups here at KCLSU will organise picnics, hikes, or volunteering at farms. Keep an eye out on the KCLSU events page, as well as their own Instagram pages (you can find these through their own individual pages on our website). There are also a few student societies at KCLSU, such as the?Environment and?Climate action?societies, to connect with like-minded, green-fingered peers. The Sustainability Team at King’s has even compiled a list of societies you can get involved with that are particularly green-minded. 

A walk

Sitting at a desk for hours can leave you very stiff, not to mention frazzled! Rather than spending your break from studying sitting again, try stretching out and going on a walk. It can even just be five minutes; the walk from the library to Tesco to buy your lunch! Taking that time helps refresh and reset your body and can allow you to relax your muscles before sitting down at that desk again. 

 Sit and breathe it in

You may not fancy a walk, or doing anything for that matter. With our minds racing after studying all day, sometimes just sitting and being in nature is enough. I always find that finding a nice bench and taking some deep breaths makes a world of difference in clearing my mind and resetting. Our guide to exam season self-care includes a few relaxation tips that you can practice as well. 

Working a visit to a green space into your study breaks 

It is always best to take regular breaks when studying. You can read our guide on the Pomodoro Technique and the importance of regular breaks here. If you are studying on campus, we have compiled a list of green spaces within a 15-minute walk of all campuses for you to explore. 

Find an outdoor hobby 

This one can go hand-in hand with our first tip, getting involved with a student group. There are so many common interest groups that offer outdoor hobbies for you to try out with others. You could also research and see if your local community offers groups, or just try something out for yourself! Perhaps you’ve become really interested in bird-watching after sitting outside in the park? Time to treat yourself to some bird-watching goggles! For other ideas, see here. 

To read more about how nature benefits your wellbeing, see this article written by Mind. KCL Student services has also written a useful article on how frequently visiting green spaces can benefit our mental health. 

Want to find out more about how you can take care of your Wellbeing? Visit the KCLSU Wellbeing Hub for activities, events and resources to help boost your wellbeing. Make sure you also keep an eye out for the KCLSU News Page, for lots of Wellbeing-related tips and tricks.?