What is «Vær god mot deg selv»?
It’s a website with lots of research based tips and advice intended to give you a slightly better every day life during the pandemic.
In Autumn 2020, the University of Bergen initiated the project to help students and young people get through a challenging period. Covid-19 has affected our everyday life. We socialize less. We are not getting to know new people, we are homesick or bothered with «corona shame,» and struggle with feelings of missing out on the best of student life. This may have both physical and psychological consequences, and some even give up on their studies. The benefit of being a big university is that it encompasses enormous amounts of knowledge on how to master everyday life in all its facets. That’s why all the tips and advice are rooted in research and science originating from UiB itself.
Talk
Help one another other – stay connected
Tips #1
Online meetings
Organise informal study groups that can meet online.
Tips #2
Call a friend
Nurture existing relationships by calling a friend or relative. Even a simple phone call can help reduce stress.
Tips #3
Take a walk
Invite friends to join you for a safe walk. Go for a stroll in your neighbourhood where you can easily keep a good distance.
Tips #4
Talk to a mentor
The mentor programme is a low-threshold service for students at UiB. A mentor can help you adapt to your studies and study environment both professionally and socially, which will ease the transition from school to university.
Tips #5
Talk to a counsellor
You can book an appointment with a counsellor on the Sammen website. This is a low- threshold service aimed at students who need someone to talk to or want some advice or guidance.
Tips #6
Talk to a psychologist
You can book an appointment with a psychologist on the Sammen website. They provide treatment for all kinds of mental health problems.
Tips #7
Student organisations
Would you like to expand your network at UiB? Student organisations are still active during the coronavirus pandemic. Check out the full list.
Talking to and spending time with others is essential to our mental health and ability to learn.
We are social creatures
One of the main challenges for many students during the coronavirus pandemic is maintaining relationships with other people. Talking to and spending time with others is essential to our mental health and ability to learn.
According to evolutionary psychology, we are social animals designed to work together in groups. In other words, we have an inherent social need. If this need is not met, we often experience loneliness and are more prone to stress, research says.
Social connection reduces stress
UiB Professor Per Einar Binder of the Department of Clinical Psychology explains that relationship and social contact have a stress-regulating effect on us as individuals. Any kind of social contact with others have an equal effect on lowering our stress levels. It can be talking on the phone, chatting via video or meeting physically in a safe way.
Helping others makes you happier
From a psychological perspective, relationships are also about knowing that you have support from others. It can be emotional or practical support, such as a study group. That may help you assess how you are doing academically and whether you are understanding the material correctly.
Research shows that helping others, with their classes for example, also has a positive effect on those who help. Helping others really does make us happy.
When urgent
Need help? You can reach the mental health helpline on (+47) 53 00 55 10. The service is available daily between 08:00 and 20:00 and is staffed by experienced professionals who are ready to help you.
If you need someone to talk to, or perhaps live outside Bergen, you can call Helpline – the 24-hour anonymous and confidential mental health service – on 116 123.
Source:
Per Einar Binder
Professor at the Department of Clinical Psychology at UiB
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