It seems that November Vibes was only yesterday in some ways, but April has arrived. When the streams are riped and swelled with rain, so has lockdown ended again (well, partially). With the past six months ticked off, it’s time for this edition of Hives to bring a fresh Spring in your step as we look at what’s cooking in April’s booking.

What’s Happened

Hive Roundup:

Cometh the Corvidae: Mr and Mrs MagPie, BSc – Jack told us why our feathered friends could give us students a run for our money in the intelligence stakes.

10 top tips for zapping Zoom fatigue – Olivia gave us some sound advice on how to deal with Zoom taking over our lives.

Citizen Science: How your friends and family can get involved? – Julieta explored how the general public can provide powerful data to propel scientific discovery and policy.

International Women’s Day: Our favourite female reads –  Melissa delved into our favourite books by different women from all walks of life, in celebration of International Women’s Day on 8th March.

What’s next

In the Hive Pipeline 

PhD-Overwhelmed? How to say Yes and No – When daily tasks start surmounting, learning to tackle the source is something Jack tries to explore.

In the UoM:

Daoism, TCM and the links to health preservation practice in China (14th April) – Learn about how the ancient Chinese health practices of Tai Chi and Daoyin can keep us all fit and strengthen our immune systems. 

“What I did during lockdown” (15th April) – Creating a new high-scale diagnostic national capability in the middle of a pandemic. Sign up via eventbrite 

Date & time: Thursday 15 April at 1pm

It’s Stress Awareness Month, so why not give your mind a soothing relaxation session? Check out the Counselling service’s other helpful workshops.

Around the world

World Autism Day (2nd April) –  Celebrating this spectrum is a key cog in the global calendar, as raising the call on all neurodiverse is much needed awareness. 

National Tea Day (21th April) – Stop. Take a seat. Have a brew. This is THE day to do it in the British diary. So crack out the teabags or go all out herbal (this sub-ed prefers the loose leaf). It truly is a Festi-Tea-Val, and a much needed meet up for many.

Earth Day (22nd April) – We’ve had the hour, now here’s the day. A range of spirit-lifting events on peace and a climate protection now involves over 1 billion in nearly 200 countries. Taking part is just a Google search away.

Final words

Like Jack up the beanstalk, we’re slowly climbing up and up – and out of lockdown. Soon we’ll change out of our dressing gown and turn our frown upside down, as we move around town, spending our pounds as the economy rebounds. Lastly, with the Shadow of Winter (and hopefully a certain Covid) departing, this leaves us with an apt quote:

“I feel like spring after winter, and sun on the leaves; and like trumpets and harps and all the songs I have ever heard!”

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)