It is the ambition of UL to be a leading university in the promotion of Health and Wellbeing, supporting our 16,000 students and staff. Healthy UL focuses on six themes to promote the wellbeing of the university community. There is lots of information on this page to help you to take small (and not so small) steps to improve your overall wellbeing.
If you want to get away from COVID 19, connect more with other people and complete mini challenges that will improve your wellbeing then we have an initiative for you.
COVID DOJO
COVID DOJO is a team event, where people work together to explore ways to wellbeing.
Participants register as individuals or teams (max four in a team).
Teams have to complete six challenges to get a DOJO Belt. There are four belts / levels to play for.
The team gets to pick the challenges from a menu but must do one for each theme in Healthy UL.
Here are some of the suggested actions:
Everyone who completes a Level will get a belt for that level.
The “Belts” are environmentally friendly wristbands (a bit hippy, but they might become collectors’ items!!)
There are Goodie Bag prizes as well.
Registration for COVID DOJO is open now. Fun, interaction and prizes, the perfect antidote to the pandemic! Please note places are limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.
To find out more information and how you can get involved simply email HealthyUL@ul.ie and we will send you all you need to get started. You can register as an individual or as a team, whatever suits you.
COVID-19 Information
If you are here because you are looking for information about COVID 19, check out the next 3 tabs.
If you are looking for more tips on how to promote your health and wellbeing, check out our 6 Wellbeing Suggestions. These are updated periodically, so come back and visit to get recommendations throughout the semester.
More detailed information on the work of Healthy UL is available under the Framework download button and from the themed buttons below.
If you want to introduce small changes to improve things, take some time to consider our Six Wellbeing Suggestions below. These are updated regularly, so come back and visit to get more recommendations throughout the semester.
Student Life has established a site specifically where students can unwind and get away from all the messages about the coronavirus.
Human Resources has initiated a series of wellness seminars for staff. These provide opportunities to link in real time with colleagues and receive expert advice and suggestions for how to keep well.
6 Wellbeing suggestions
Healthy Environments
We all use a lot of water. 65% of what we use is used in the bathroom. Notice how you use water.
There are lots of things we can do to reduce water waste. Have shorter showers. Don’t leave taps running. Buy an energy-efficient showerhead. Reduce the amount of water used to flush toilets. It all helps.
Sexual Health and Wellbeing
Over 760 UL students participated in the Active Consent Workshops that were held in Semester 1 2020. UL will be facilitating more Active Consent Workshops in 2021.
HSE Sexual Wellbeing on Twitter provides advice on sexual health and coronavirus and free Sexual Health Protection Packs are available through local pharmacies.
Addictive Behaviour
Many people try to give up smoking for the New Year. There are supports out there.
Check out the HSE:
Freephone at 1800 201 203
Free text QUIT to 50100
Email: support@quit.ie
Mental Health
There is a substantial body of evidence that shows that excessive screen time means that our brain spends most of the day switching between tasks and consuming a constant stream of information. This increases our levels of stress and lowers the quality of our work. Set a repeating alarm on your phone or laptop to remind you to take some time out away from the screen.
Physical Activity
Interrupt extended bouts of sitting by moving at least every 30 minutes.
Healthy Eating
In 2021 aim to reduce your food waste.
Did you know that in industrialized countries, consumers throw away 286 million tonnes of cereal products.
Almost half of all vegetables and fruits produced are wasted.
Over 20% of meat is lost or wasted.
8% of fish caught globally is thrown back into the sea.
Buy only what you need and will use.
We would like to bring to your attention the following service funded by the Health Service Executive.
50808 provides everything from a calming chat to immediate support for people going through an emotional or mental health crisis. This is a text based service which uses Artificial Intelligence to analyse a texter’s initial message, scanning keywords, phrases and even emojis.
50808 is free, anonymous and inclusive. If picking up the phone and asking for help is difficult, texting 50808 will connect you to a trained Crisis Volunteer if need be. Reach out, there is help there.
Health and the environment are inextricably linked and approaches to improve both are deeply complementary
Ensuring UL develops and implements supports and protocols that reduce the stigma of addiction
Learn more about the supports and resources available to UL staff and students mental health and wellbeing
Good sexual health means making sure you have the knowledge, skills and ability to make informed sexual choices and act responsibly to protect your health and the health of others.
The promotion of the health and wellbeing of the university community (staff, students and visitors) supported by the development of sustainable research programmes in nutrition and health.
What are the recommended levels of physical activity to maintain and improve health?