Liverpool Hope University students enjoyed a fascinating wellbeing webinar this week, led by a professional ‘Resilience and Recovery Coach’.
And there’s a SECOND session taking place, face-to-face and on campus, on WEDNESDAY 16th February, 2pm, in room 006 in the EDEN Building.
There’s no need to book a place - simply turn up and enjoy.
Gemma Margerison is the author of new book Connected: The 12 Ways of Wellbeing for a Holistically Healthy Life, and has dedicated her life to helping others cope with trauma, grief, stress and anxiety.
On Wednesday Gemma - a former Hope graduate who studied for a Master’s degree in International Relations between 2014 and 2017 - took part in an online Hope lecture where she gave her insights into self-care, self-awareness, self-acceptance and self-empowerment, and what that all means for students who might be juggling assignment deadlines and exam worries.
Gemma spoke about her own journey in life, and how she’s had to confront harrowing Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
And she also talked about some of the things we might get wrong when it comes to conversations about our wellbeing.
Gemma said, for instance, how she hates the phrase ‘bouncing back’ when it comes to resilience, because the term implies that we must first ‘hit the floor’ before we can learn how to recover.
That, for Gemma, is false and resilience is a ‘skill we need to engage with constantly and consciously, and to be put in place before we hit rock bottom. It’s about implementing resilience in a positive way’.
Gemma gave advice about getting the very basics of resilience right - and that’s the crucial ‘self care’ elements of diet, exercise and sleep.
And she also outlined ways we can be better ‘self aware’, adding: “It’s about spotting the signs of when things are too much. Ask yourself, what are your red flags when it comes to stress and anxiety? And what can you do about it? Is there someone or somewhere you can go to for support?’
Saying ‘no’ can be a powerful tool of self care, reveals Gemma, particularly when it comes to avoiding social interactions which might not be helpful.
She also pushed back against the idea of being ‘humble’ - and instead urged people to really explore their strengths, abilities and life experiences’, adding: “Learn to understand that we have self worth, and we are just as valued as anyone else.”
** Gemma’s second Resilience and Recovery will take place at 2pm on 16th February, room 006 in the EDEN Building.
There’s no need to book - simply pop along and listen. For further information email press@hope.ac.uk
** For more information about Gemma: https://totalwellness.club/listing/resilience-training/