Mental and physical wellbeing means having your body and mind working at their peak.
To do that requires investing time and effort into addressing those factors that are known to influence wellbeing:
- healthy diet
- plenty of refreshing sleep
- regular physical activity
- building positive emotions and learning to manage difficult emotions
- self-awareness and understanding of personal strengths
- finding meaning and purpose in what you do
- building positive relationships and having a sense of belonging
- spending time in nature
We’ve seen first hand that students who actively work on their physical and mental wellbeing cope better with the challenges of study, and do better academically.
It is why we started using the phrase “Wellbeing for academic success”.
At Oasis we offer a range of programs that run throughout the year that target your mental and physical wellbeing.
Flinders Community Market
Good nutrition is essential for both physical and mental health, but financial reasons get in the way of many students eating a healthy diet.
The Flinders Community Market gives students a regular place to obtain high quality but free or very cheap food.
When: Every Thursday during term time from 11am to 1pm.
Where: OASIS Courtyard – OASIS is located at J7 on the campus map – walk from the library through the laneway to the building opposite car park 5
What: Free and low-cost food, fresh produce and occasionally some entertainment!
Meditation for Relaxation and Stress Relief
A simple guided meditation for relaxation, based on the principles of mindfulness. A chance to escape the hustle and bustle of university life and take a moment for yourself.
When: Wednesdays and Fridays at 12.00pm during term time
Where: OASIS Centre – walk from the library through the laneway to the building opposite car park 5
What: Let our Chaplain Dave guide you through a simple meditation to relieve stress and improve your focus and attention
No registration required – just show up!!
Specialist wellbeing focused workshops/seminars
In addition to the regular programs we run throughout the year, we also hold specialist workshops and seminars on key wellbeing topics.
Studyology
Studyology is a 5x1hour session program that uses mindfulness-based principles to help students tackle procrastination, one of the more common reasons students present to counselling for assistance.
In the program you will learn:
- to identify your own procrastination patterns
- mindfulness exercises for getting present and connected with your tasks
- how to reconnect with your topic and degree.
Find out more, including when the next program is running here.
Be Well Plan
The Be Well Plan is an interactive group program in which you are taught how to build a tailored wellbeing and resilience plan that you can use at any stage of life to get yourself back on track, cope with difficult times, or simply enhance your mental health and wellbeing.
In the program you will learn:
- how to assess your own mental health and resilience
- how to pick evidence-based activities that improve mental health
- how to embed those activities into your everyday life
Find out more, including when the next program is running here.
On Campus Facilities
Part of building mental and physical wellbeing is having safe and relaxing spaces to be during the day.
The OASIS Centre has a number of facilities that students can use during business hours, as a home away from home.
- A quiet space for meditation or just relaxing
- Fully equipped kitchen with microwaves, boiling & chilled filtered water, free tea & coffee and full oven & hob for cooking/heating lunches
- Piano
- Study areas/comfy lounges/whiteboard wall
- Prayer rooms for Muslim students, fully equipped with wash facilities
- Garden area with tables and chairs
- BBQ
University Wide Events that we run
Oasis has a community and events coordinator who helps us run events on campus that celebrate special days like RUOK Day and University Mental Health Week.
These special events remind us that we are all connected by the common desire for mental and physical wellbeing. They remind us of our responsibilities to others, and that others are there for us also.
To find out what is coming up, visit our Programs and Events page or stay connected via our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/oasisatflinders/)
Our partnerships
We work directly with other groups within the university to provide a comprehensive range of student health and wellbeing services.
Health, Counselling and Disability Services (HCDS) – provide confidential and professional health, counselling and disability services to all currently enrolled Flinders University students, including those studying completely online.
Student Health and Wellbeing Blog – our psychologist Dr Gareth Furber, writes a regular blog on how to build mental fitness, so you can study and work at your peak ability.
Flinders Sports and Fitness – A convenient and affordable fitness centre, with excellent rates and facilities for Flinders University staff and students.
Flinders University Student Association (FUSA) – FUSA is the student organisation that represents the rights and interests of students.