# PhD Wellbeing
**Source**: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/phd_wellbeing/
**Parent**: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/schols_fund/staff_guidance/finance/
## Wellbeing during your PhD
A PhD is challenging and it is important that you look after your whole self; and this includes your wellbeing too.
On this page you will find resources which will help you think about how you look after yourself ( or your colleagues); understand that some of what you are feeling is very common (academic imposter syndrome is very common amongst many of us); and some hints for dealing with practical challenges such as procrastination or writers block.
These resources are not a replacement for speaking to a professional or seeking professional help.
Please check the [Wellbeing Services](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/wss) resource page to see how you can access more support and guidance
**Emergency**
If you are concerned about someone's wellbeing or mental health and are on campus and require out of hours emergency help contact [Community Safety](https://warwick.ac.uk/security) on 024 7652 2222 or read Wellbeing's [emergency contact information](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/wss/students/emergency_contacts/)
If you are off campus then call the Emergency services on 999
To gain confidential advice you can speak to
[Report + Support](https://reportandsupport.warwick.ac.uk/)
[Helping students in distress](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/phd_supervision/helping_students_in_distress_-_a_guide.pdf) (Researcher Development Guide)
### RDO Wellbeing workshops
Coming up this Spring we have workshops to support your Wellbeing, Mental Health and Productivity.
All our MH sessions are delivered by our Psychologist specialist and facilitator, Frane Vusio.
**We will be starting our Spring Programme on 9th February Bookings open on 19th January. We look forward to seeing you then.**
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### RDO Spring - Wellbeing & Productivity Focus Pillar ( bookings open 19th January)
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| **Date** | **Time** | **Session** | **Booking Link** |
| 09/02/2026 | 13.00-14.30 | Preparing for your Viva | [Book](https://skillsforge.warwick.ac.uk/warwick/#he/dev/eventDetails,;em,providerCode=RD,providerOrgAlias=warwick,number=O5-1,;) |
| 11/02/2026 | 11.00-12.30 | Creativity in Research | [Book](https://skillsforge.warwick.ac.uk/warwick/#he/dev/eventDetails,;em,providerCode=RD,providerOrgAlias=warwick,number=O3-11,;) |
| 18/02/2026 | 11.00-12.30 | Effective Researcher | [Book](https://skillsforge.warwick.ac.uk/warwick/#he/dev/eventDetails,;em,providerCode=RD,providerOrgAlias=warwick,number=O5-1,;) |
| 23/02/2026 | 17.30-19.00 | How to Deal with Stress | [Book](https://skillsforge.warwick.ac.uk/warwick/#he/dev/eventDetails,;em,providerCode=RD,providerOrgAlias=warwick,number=O3-18,;) |
| 24/02/2026 | 11.00-12.30 | Research Planning for your First Year | [Book](https://skillsforge.warwick.ac.uk/warwick/#he/dev/eventDetails,;em,providerCode=RD,providerOrgAlias=warwick,number=O3-2,;) |
| 02/03/2026 | 17.30-19.00 | Increasing your Self-Confidence | [Book](https://skillsforge.warwick.ac.uk/warwick/#he/dev/eventDetails,;em,providerCode=RD,providerOrgAlias=warwick,number=O3-24,;) |
| 05/03/2026 | 11.00-12.30 | Preparing for your Upgrade | [Book](https://skillsforge.warwick.ac.uk/warwick/#he/dev/eventDetails,;em,providerCode=RD,providerOrgAlias=warwick,number=O3-4,;) |
| 11/03/2026 | 11.00-12.30 | Research Planning Part 2 - aims & objectives | [Book](https://skillsforge.warwick.ac.uk/warwick/#he/dev/eventDetails,;em,providerCode=RD,providerOrgAlias=warwick,number=O3-3,;) |
| 12/03/2026 | 16:30-18:00 | How to Navigate Uncertainty in Research (and personal life) | [Book](https://skillsforge.warwick.ac.uk/warwick/#he/dev/eventDetails,;em,providerCode=RD,providerOrgAlias=warwick,number=O3-21,;) |
| 16/03/2026 | 13.00-14.30 | Increase your Productivity | [Book](https://skillsforge.warwick.ac.uk/warwick/#he/dev/eventDetails,;em,providerCode=RD,providerOrgAlias=warwick,number=O3-23,;) |
| 19/03/2026 | 10.30-12.00 | Tackling Perfectionism | [Book](https://skillsforge.warwick.ac.uk/warwick/#he/dev/eventDetails,;em,providerCode=RD,providerOrgAlias=warwick,number=O3-28,;) |
| 19/03/2026 | 13.00-14.30 | Visualising your Research: how visuals can help plan your PhD | [Book](https://skillsforge.warwick.ac.uk/warwick/#he/dev/eventDetails,;em,providerCode=RD,providerOrgAlias=warwick,number=O3-7,;) |
| 23/03/2026 | 11.00-12.30 | Building Adaptability & Strategies for Sustaining Motivation | [Book](https://skillsforge.warwick.ac.uk/warwick/#he/dev/eventDetails,;em,providerCode=RD,providerOrgAlias=warwick,number=O3-10,;) |
| 30/03/2026 | 11.00-12.30 | 7 Steps to PhD Completion | [Book](https://skillsforge.warwick.ac.uk/warwick/#he/dev/eventDetails,;em,providerCode=RD,providerOrgAlias=warwick,number=O3-31,;) |
### Take 5 for Wellbeing
6 x 90 second videos to help you #TakeBreaks #MakeBreakthroughs
Take 5 video 1: [Connect](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGUmqAuJwkM&list=PLJSgNbrgkQz96vDSiVgwbrcmt6qPE0aUf&index=1)
Take 5 video 2: [Be Active](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tYcXtLfYf0&list=PLJSgNbrgkQz96vDSiVgwbrcmt6qPE0aUf&index=2)
Take 5 video 3: [Take Notice](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACzjlAOSCDI&list=PLJSgNbrgkQz96vDSiVgwbrcmt6qPE0aUf&index=3)
Take 5 video 4: [Keep Learning](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGn9QTHNAxc&list=PLJSgNbrgkQz96vDSiVgwbrcmt6qPE0aUf&index=4)
Take 5 video 5: [Give](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_YJKK4mb4E&list=PLJSgNbrgkQz96vDSiVgwbrcmt6qPE0aUf&index=5)
Take 5 video 6 : [Remember to recharge](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYLaU5jRLFs&list=PLJSgNbrgkQz96vDSiVgwbrcmt6qPE0aUf&index=6)
### Podcasts
Podcasts from our resident Mental Health specialist Frane Vusio, and Maths Anxiety Researcher Sue Johnston-Wilder
Your Mental Health during your PhD series
[1/ Imposter Syndrome](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/podcast/?podcastItem=your_mental_health_during_your_phd_impostor_syndrome.mp3)
2/[Invisible Disability | Podcast on Spotify (19 episodes)](https://open.spotify.com/show/79O7u9ExSRhliJB7alpIZj)
Maths Anxiety Series
[1/Introducing What is Maths Anxiety](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/podcast/?podcastItem=maths_anxiety_ep1.mp3)
[2/ Understanding Maths Anxiety](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/podcast/?podcastItem=maths_anxiety_ep2.mp3)
[3/ Seeking help with Maths Anxiety](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/podcast/?podcastItem=maths_anxiety_ep3.mp3)
### Stress
A [workbook](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/phd_wellbeing/stress-11-19.pdf) from [www.talkplus.org.uk](https://www.talkplus.org.uk/) which discusses 'what is stress', identifying symptoms, and then strategies for coping strategies, overcoming barriers and much more
[Managing Stress- a self help guide](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/phd_wellbeing/managing-stress---a-self-help-guide.pdf)
[Problem Solving](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/phd_wellbeing/problem_solving.pdf)
[Problems to Solutions](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/phd_wellbeing/problems_to_solutions.pdf)
[Managing your worries](https://cedar.exeter.ac.uk/v8media/facultysites/hls/cedar/resources/2018CLES039_CEDAR_Managing_Your_Worries_(BW).pdf)
**Loneliness, Isolation & Low Mood Guides for support**
[Loneliness Guide- Marmalade Trust](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/phd_wellbeing/loneliness_guide___marmalade_trust_.pdf)
[Student Guide to Loneliness](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/phd_wellbeing/mhf-student-guide-to-loneliness.pdf)
[Get on top of low mood](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/phd_wellbeing/ba_control.pdf)
[Lift your Low mood](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/phd_wellbeing/lift_your_low_mood_colour.pdf)
**Vitae Resources**
[Wellbeing & Mental Health](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/phd_wellbeing/wellbeing__mental_health_signposts_for_doctoral_candidates_-_may_2020_1.pdf) resources signposts
[The Balanced Researcher](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/phd_wellbeing/balanced-researcher-vitae-june-2008.pdf)
[Wellbeing & Mental Health lens on the RDF](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/phd_wellbeing/vitae_wellbeing_and_mental_health_lens_-_final-_may_2020.pdf)
Blogs:
[PhD(isabled) Blog](https://phdisabled.wordpress.com/)
[Wellbeing Thesis](https://thewellbeingthesis.org.uk/about-the-wellbeing-thesis/)
A national website to support PGRs including:
[Why are you engaging in PG research?](https://thewellbeingthesis.org.uk/why-you-are-engaging-in-pgr-study/)
[Foundations of Success](https://thewellbeingthesis.org.uk/foundations-for-success/)
Highly recommended [PG Research Myths Debunked](https://thewellbeingthesis.org.uk/postgraduate-research-myths-debunked/)
[Taking Control](https://thewellbeingthesis.org.uk/taking-control-to-make-this-work-for-you/)
[Managing adversity](https://thewellbeingthesis.org.uk/managing-adversity/)
Managing your Mental Health during your PhD : Zoe J Ayres
[Building Wellbeing Literacy for Early Career Researchers Moodle](https://moodle.warwick.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=74908)
**More Handbooks and self-help guides**
> [Goal Setting](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/phd_wellbeing/goal_setting_workbook_website.pdf)
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> [Get Active, Feel Good](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/phd_wellbeing/get_active_-_physical_activity_cbt_ceder_exeter.pdf)
>
> [Improving Resilience](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/phd_wellbeing/2018cles043_enhancing_resilience.pdf)
>
> [7 Steps to help you deal with uncertainty](https://ideas.ted.com/7-strategies-to-help-you-live-with-uncertainty/)
>
> [Unhelpful Thoughts](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/phd_wellbeing/unhelpful_thoughts.pdf)
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> [Cognitive Restructuring](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/phd_wellbeing/talkplus_cognitive_restructuring.pdf)
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> [Steps to a goodnights sleep](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/phd_wellbeing/steps_to_a_good_nights_sleep_colour.pdf)
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> [Facing your fears](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/phd_wellbeing/facing_your_fears.pdf)
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> [Exposure & Habituation](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/phd_wellbeing/exposure_and_habituation.pdf)
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> [Graded Exposure](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/phd_wellbeing/graded_exposure.pdf)
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> [Self Care Model](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/phd_wellbeing/self-care_model_v2_lemon11june2020.jpg)
>
> ["What I wish you knew": a guide for staff from autistic students (warwick.ac.uk)](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/socialinclusion/projects/letstalkaboutdisability/autism/what_i_wish_you_knew___a_guide_for_staff_from_autistic_students_002.pdf)
Return to [Researcher Development Online](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/) root page
You can book on a PhD Wellbeing Session by completing an **[expression of interest form (warwick.ac.uk)](https://warwick.ac.uk/services/dc/pgr/expressionofinterest)**
or by using SkillsForge **<https://skillsforge.warwick.ac.uk/>.**
If you use the expression of interest form you would not receive SF credits for your attendance but may give you the privacy you would prefer.