New Year Cheer

Welcome back to the monthly moods of Hive Vibes! Now that the Christmas chocolates have been chewed and the last Eggnog brewed, 2021 has arrived with its pazazz and tier-full news. Even as we write, the university slowly grinds its gears back into action (Semester 2 technically starts February 8th), lockdown again rules. With this in mind, here’s a brief rundown of things that were, are and have not yet come to pass for our monthly wellbeing moods.

What’s Happened

Hive Roundup:

Winter Warmers – Olivia Mak, Tarnjit Sidhu and Jason Chu 

Still shivering from the surprise Manchester snow? Why not try out the stellar series of nine drink recipes by our editors guaranteed to wet the taste buds and hearten the soul 

Imposter Syndrome – Susan Limbu

Susan highlights five key pointers on tackling this common sensation in the PhD world, and why you’re worth it

Giving Back and the Pluses of Pedagogy – Jack Sharpen

If you’ve ever thought about learning how to teach (and learning how to learn), Jack gives a breakdown on how beneficial teaching can be to careers and yourself

Rounding off Manchester

Hive Archive – As is wont with this time of year, we decided to delve into the Hive’s previous vices and cherry pick some relevant articles for moving onwards.

How to Tackle Your New Year’s Resolution? (January 2019): If you’re wondering how to achieve the new year, new me vibes, Jason’s provides the resolve to go with your resolution.

How to manage stress as a PGR student (December 2019) – If the January blues is causing a few PGR stresses, hop back to some sound advice from Tarnjit.

What’s next

In the Hive Pipeline

Manchester and the Immunomatrix – Megan summarises the complex co-habitation of immune cells and the matrix, and the research role the University of Manchester plays

The four humours of wellbeing – Jack provides an alternate take on old tricks for new year’s kicks.  

In Faculty: 

Virtual SBS celebration Day (13th January) – As well as a whole Wednesday dedicated to the School’s 2020 achievement (event link in title), there is a range of wellbeing talks from 11th-14th January. From work-life balance, drawing sessions and even desk pilates, check out which events tickle your fancy by clicking here. 

In the UoM:

Anything but Research – If you have any great ideas, projects or innovations for PGR wellbeing, funding is available through the Anything but Research (AbR) initiative. The deadline for the next AbR funding round is 15th February, so don’t hesitate to apply (Covid-friendly Fika anyone?).

Book Club – If you’ve been fervently reading books over Christmas and are itching to chat to someone about them, this is the perfect place! Equally, if you’ve received a book as a gift and are excited to delve in, join this online book club on Friday 29th January.

New Year Wellbeing events – If you subscribe to the ‘new year, new me’ mantra and want to get cracking with those resolutions, join these webinars. The remaining ones are on physical fitness and weight management.

Fitness classes over Zoom – Aim to be fitter than ever in 2021? Get your fitness regime to a lively start and take advantage of the Early Bird offer on these #ActiveAnywhere courses. There’s something to suit everyone, from yoga and pilates to Qigong and HIIT.

New Years In the World

Whilst January is packed with celebrations (complimentary clipart included), different cultures have a kaleidoscope of calendars throughout history. Here’s a look at some recent and not-so-new new year’s traditions: 

Gregorian Grapes – As the most widely celebrated new year, the 31st/1st crossover is commonly seen with an explosion of Auld Lang Syne intones. Whilst Scottish steak pies on Hogmanay might be familiar, the Spanish tradition of Twelve Grapes (Las doce uvas de la suerte) for each New Year bell strike might account for Europe’s excess demand. 

Good Moon Risings – February’s Tết, Seollal and the Chinese new year all coincide with phasing into the new lunar calendar. These are famous for their grandiose celebrations over multiple days, and a lunar calendar also marks the next Islamic Hijiri in August.

A Vernal Springing – Perhaps the oldest calendar reset still used is the March equinox, dating back to ancient Babylonians and Zoroastrians. This festivity is still blooming in Iran’s Nowruz and the Baháʼí Faith.

Final words

Perhaps we sub-editors were remiss of our twelve midnight grapes, as finishing Hive Vibes has again followed new lockdown limits. If this is bringing you down, the support previously mentioned in November and December is in full swing, including the great info available from the Counselling Service. Whether in Manchester, the UK or somewhere in the ethos, we at Hive welcome you to a wellbeing-full year. As is becoming custom, we’ll leave you with a (space) wizard paraphrase:

 You can’t win, lockdown. If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine

Written by your friendly Wellbeing Sub-editors 

_{If you would like to contribute to any wellbeing news, as well as tips, tricks and tipples for next month’s bulletin, don’t hesitate to contact us!} 

_{(jack.sharpen@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk and olivia.mak@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk)}