Before we get into our optometry guides, we would like to remind everyone to take care of your physical and mental well-being alongside any work during this pandemic. We have included some health resources below to help cope when you’re not deep into your studies and research. In another post linked HERE, we will discuss the role of mental health awareness inside the optometric consulting room.

Free Workout / Fitness Apps 
There are various brands that have chosen to offer free workout content given that gyms are now closed. Example of different fitness apps that you can try out are listed below:
  • Nike Training Club: 185+ free workouts including body-focused workouts as well as boxing, yoga, strength, endurance and mobility workouts. There are also workouts with input from famous athletes such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Serena Williams and Michael B. Jordan.
  • Active by POPSUGAR: 500+ ad-free workouts including cardio, boxing, dance, high intensity, low impact, strength + toning, yoga and pilates.
  • Les Mills on Demand: Free classes until the pandemic is over in everything from cardio, strength, HIIT, core toning to flexibility
  • Pure Barre Go: Daily live classes for free over Facebook. All you need is a mat, weights and a barre/windowsill.
  • Zombies, Run: This app was already free but it’s a fun way to feel even more like you’re in an apocalypse if it didn’t feel real enough already. The app plays podcasts as you run to simulate the experience of working with your team to survive a zombie infestation. 

 Meditation and Mindfulness Apps - 
  • Headspace: A guided meditation app with cute cartoons to walk you through the process, they are now offering free access to their “Weathering the Storm” collection of guided meditations. Otherwise the app offers a handful of free introductory meditations and further sessions unlocked with subscription.
  • Calm: Rated the #1 app for Sleep, Meditation and Relaxation in the apple store, the app is free with optional in-app purchases.

 Melbourne Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS) - All University of Melbourne students have access to free counselling services through The University of Melbourne Counselling and Psychological Services (CAPS). It provides free, confidential, short-term professional counselling to currently enrolled students and staff. 
Currently tele-counselling appointments are available via Zoom. You can book an appointment here: https://services.unimelb.edu.au/counsel#appointments 

 BeyondBlue
From 2019-2021, the Australian government is providing $10 million to Beyond Blue for a new Coronavirus Well-being Support Service, a 24/7 support service available free of charge.

 It provides:
  • Digital tools to manage mental health and well-being
  • Counselling over the phone from qualified mental health practitioners, including for people who are hard of hearing, and people for whom English is not their first language
  • Referrals to other services including financial support
  • An online community forum to connect with others in the same situation
  • Emergency/crisis support hotlines
Link to the website here

Mindspot 
Various digital Mental health services can also be accessed at MindSpot Clinic for adults over the age of 18 who are experiencing symptoms of anxiety, depression, chronic pain and related difficulties. 
  • It is a fully government-funded (FREE) nationwide clinic providing:
  • Mental health advice and assessment by trained mental health professionals
  • Different online treatment courses for a range of mental health issues
  • Advice surrounding COVID-19,
  • Links to other services including financial support and support networks for children
  • Evidence of peer-reviewed publications and clinical trials to support the development of treatment courses
Link to the website here

Remember that although we are practicing physical distancing, we are all in this together. Our team of final year students are also here to try and answer any relevant questions about the OD course that you have (just drop a question in the contact us page or comment on any post).