As part of the Take Time In wellbeing campaign, we asked Jonathan, a student at King's living in France, about his current situation and wellbeing tips.

1. Where in the world are you at the moment? 

Right now I live in Saint-Germain, a suburb not too far from Paris, in France. 

2. What does life look like there at the moment? 

Here in France, the vaccination rollout hasn’t been as speedy as in the UK, and, as a consequence, there is still an increasing number of new Covid-19 cases reported daily. We are currently in a nationwide lockdown that should be eased up in a couple of weeks. 

3. What have you learned about yourself during the last year? 

When I reflect back on the past year, while there are a lot of negatives, I can confidently say that I learned many things. Firstly, and simply, I have learned how to live with myself. This may seem kind of cliché, but learning how to be alone and how to thrive in solitude is really something I improved on during the various quarantines and lockdowns of this past year. Being withdrawn from other people, such as when I had to isolate myself completely when I had Covid back in December, teaches you to live in your own company. Most of us are bombarded with different distractions every day, be it from our environment or our phone, and learning to appreciate time alone, without these distractions, is definitely a positive consequence of the strange and unusual times we have been faced with. 

This pandemic, by breaking the routine we all had, has allowed us to reconsider time and how we spend it. Being alone, deprived of many of the distractions that I am usually subject to, has allowed me to appreciate this time in a new way where I know that I can live in my own company, ultimately letting exterior elements out of my control affect me and my wellbeing less. 

4. Out of the Kings 5 Ways to Wellbeing, which have you been practicing most lately? 

“A healthy mind in a healthy body” - is an original Latin saying that you may have heard about. While it is often overused, it remains true. In fact, if Latin wisdom isn’t enough to convince you, there are a plethora of modern studies that show an important link between physical and mental wellbeing. Out of the King’s 5 Ways to Wellbeing, I’d say that the one I’ve practiced the most lately is the first one: “Keep Moving”. In London, as the restrictions are easing up, gyms have reopened and most sports clubs have resumed their activity, so why not book a session! If you’re based somewhere where the restrictions are stricter, like me, just go for a run! After a year of lockdowns and curfews, I guarantee you that getting your blood pumping can only be beneficial for both your physical and your mental health. 

5. Can you share one tip for looking after your wellbeing during a stressful time? 

All of us experience stress on a regular basis, whether it be before an exam or simply because you haven’t been able to see your loved ones as often as you would’ve liked, so it’s important to be able to manage your wellbeing during these times. If I had one tip, it would simply be to do things you enjoy doing. While this can seem obvious, many of us forget to think about ourselves when we are under stress. Whether it be something creative (painting, drawing, photography…), a hobby (running, watching films…), or simply spending time with people you enjoy, do it! Taking your mind off whatever is generating that stress from time to time is important, so don’t forget to do things you like doing. 

6. What is one thing you're looking forward to in the coming months? 

The main thing I’m looking forward to is spending time with friends and family over the summer. Many of us have spent a lot of time apart from the people we care about, and (hopefully) we will be able to spend more time with them this summer. This pandemic has given me a newfound appreciation for simple moments like these, and I’ll make sure to enjoy them fully. 

KCLSU stands wholeheartedly with the King's community during this difficult time. To find help and resources to help improve your wellbeing, we invite you to visit this page.