Boost Your Mood
Keeping active is not only vital for your physical health but can boost your mood, making you happier and healthier, and is one of the five steps that evidence shows we can take to improve our mental wellbeing. This spring we're encouraging our whole community to get active and try some of the other steps too.
1. Connect |
4. Give to others |
2. Be active | 5. Take notice |
3. Keep learning |

Opportunities to be active and connect
Being active and building connections with people around you will support and enrich you every day. Here are some of the opportunities we have coming up where you can get active and connect with our community.
Feel Good Walks
University of Edinburgh staff and students are invited to come for a lunchtime Feel Good walk to help boost your mood.
Upcoming sessions:
- Monday 15 May from 12:30pm to 1:15pm at Pleasance
- Tuesday 16 May from 12:30pm to 1:15pm at Easter Bush campus (campus litter pick)
- Tuesday 23 May from 12:30pm to 1:15pm at Central Campus
- Tuesday 30 May from 12:30pm to 1:15pm at Kings Buildings
Find out more and book your place
Just Play Sport Sessions
Sport & physical activity can help us feel happier, healthier and more connected, so why not join us at our just play sport sessions?
Our Just Play sport sessions are open to all students and staff at the university and are an opportunity to try a new sport, get active and make new friends. Plus, they’re FREE!
All sessions will provide students and staff with the chance to play some fun sport and a basketball coach will be present to lead the session. Sessions will be suitable for all abilities.
Upcoming sessions:
- Friday 19 May from 12pm to 1pm: Basketball
- Friday 2 June from 12pm to 1pm: Netball & Badminton
- Friday 23 June from 12pm to 1pm: Volleyball & Badminton
- Monday 17 July from 12pm to 1pm: Basketball
Where: Sports Hall at the Pleasance Sports Complex & Gym
Find out more and book your place
Further opportunities to be active
Opportunities to take notice and keep learning
Being aware of the world around you and what you are feeling, and reflecting on your experiences can help you appreciate what matters and learning new things can help with your confidence as well as being fun. We have lots of opportunities to try something new.
Firbush May Skills Course Weekend
This year the skills course weekend will be running from Friday 19 to Sunday 21 May 2023. The specialised skills courses are ideal for people who want to take their passion to the next level. There are a number of courses to choose from including paddle sports, windsurfing, sailing or navigation & hill skills. Your meals, accommodation, equipment and tuition are all included.
Find out more about the courses at Firbush
Gym Instructor Level 2 Course
This is the ideal starting point for those wanting to work in the health and fitness industry. The 4 day course has been developed to meet the latest fitness industry standards and enables learners to develop the knowledge and skills to engage, facilitate, educate and support clients in a gym or health club environment.
When: 27, 28 May, 3 & 4 June (assessment on 16 or 17 June)
Where: Easter Bush Gym & Pleasance
Price: £429 for students / £489 for non-students
Find out more about the Gym Instructor course
Give Climbing a try
During Mental Health Awareness Week the Climbing Wall is offering FREE climbing wall taster sessions:
View and book your free session here
The Climbing Wall team also run a variety of courses and workshops for beginners as well as more advanced climbers.
Opportunities to give to others
Doing something nice for a friend or stranger, or volunteering for a larger cause, can have a huge impact on other people, as well as helping you in looking after your wellbeing.
Sign up for a sponsored event or challenge
Discover what challenges you can take part in with the University
Mental Health Awareness Week
Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from the 15 to 21 May and the theme this year is 'anxiety'. The biggest problem with anxiety is our response to it. It’s very tempting to avoid nerve-wracking situations because we think we can’t cope. https://togetherall.com/en-gb/ That's why we want to share Togetherall's 4 tips for managing symptoms of anxiety.