Hello, my name is Grace and I am the Senior Community Facilitator within the ResiLife team.

We talk about Seasonal Affective Disorder often and it is assumed that depression and low mood or other mental health issues hit hardest in the winter. It’s lesser known that seasonal affective disorder can also present with summer depression (see Wehr et al., 1987). This is not to say that summertime sadness is always as severe as a mental illness, but summertime can certainly be a difficult time for some. The added pressure to be ‘living your best life’ and the commonly held belief that summer is for fun and sun can worsen the experience for those individuals who may be suffering from their mental health. It also doesn’t help that English summers are rarely even summer weather…

With this in mind, I think it is important to take care of ourselves during the next few months and the ResiLife team are here to support you; whether you’re an incoming student coming into your first year as a postgraduate or undergraduate, or an existing student who’s (hopefully) busy celebrating the end of the university year. To stay in touch with us, join our team HERE and follow us on social media @kingsresilife.

Physical and mental self-care can be improved in various ways. Physical health is somewhat obvious: sun-cream (maybe not obvious in England this year but still a good habit to get into), water, eating (well, I’m talking 5-a-day and a lot of ice cream) and mindful movement to name a few. There are also BeActive classes will be running for the next few weeks and you can sign up to them HERE. Following this, ‘Move your Mind’ classes will be running throughout the summer and you can join them too by clicking HERE. These classes are designed to improve both your physical and mental wellbeing – two birds one stone. My suggestions to help with your mental health over summer would be to try meditation or mindfulness classes. To see some free meditations and try them out, you can see them on my profile @resilifegrace. Additionally, you could try a new podcast such as the ‘Practise makes progress’ podcast, run by Ellie McGrath – who we had as a guest speaker on our Tea Talks at Resilife, and you can also find an episode I did with her about the process of forgiving yourself. You can try meditating in your bedroom, outside, or on the beach if you can get there safely…

We wish you a lovely summer holidays and if you need anything please don’t hesitate to get in touch! We will be more than happy to help – even if all you want is a friendly chat. If you are new, please come along to our events in September – we can’t wait to meet you and welcome you into our community.

Post contributed by Senior CF Grace

Congratulations you officially made it through exam season in a pandemic! Exam season is rough enough under normal circumstances, so myself and the ResiLife team want to say a humongous well done and we are proud of you for making it through this year. As always, we will remain available for any help you need over the next coming months. Please get in touch by joining the ResiLife team HERE.

1. Successful vaccination program (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-55274833)

• All people in the top priority groups have now been offered the COVID-19 vaccination.
• And now, people in their 20s are getting their vaccines which is excellent news. Keep an eye out for pop-up vaccination hubs where you can get yours on the same day for free! I myself am grateful to have had both vaccines due to my work in the NHS and am hugely pro-vaccination.
• Furthermore, the US and UK have now pledged a billion vaccines for the developing world so tentatively we can say things are looking safer for everyone.

2. Whale-y good news (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-57450685)

• Lobster diver survived being eaten alive by a humpback whale, which is excellent news if you think about it… bit random though…
• Michael Packard survived 30 seconds in the stomach of the whale before the whale decided to spit him back out again, and he lived to tell the tale with nothing more than some bruises on his legs from the whale’s mouth!

3. What a good catch! (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/calico-lobster-virginia-restaurant-zoo-b1845001.html)

• Continuing the niche lobster theme… Rare calico lobsters were found in a restaurant in Virginia and were saved before anyone shoved them down their gobs.
• These rare and endangered lobsters were nearly dinner, but someone spotted the unique colourings, like freckles, and notified the owner.
• These lobsters were then sent safely to a safe exhibit and are now living happily in their care!

4. England just won their first Euro game against Croatia! (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/50940652)

• For any England fans amongst us, this is definitely good news. Bad news for other teams though sorry…
• Source (Freya Holdaway – my boss) says that this is the first time England have ever won an opening game in the Euros.

Post contributed by CF Rad

Hello readers! It is finally springtime and we can venture out in the open again. Picnics and the great outdoors are calling once again!

Did you know that the haiku, a Japanese short poem, was traditionally written on the theme of nature and its related imagery? So if you’re enjoying the season and feel like calling on your inner poet, a haiku might be a good way to start! Here is how you can write one in 3 easy steps:

1. The 5-7-5 structure

On the face of it, a haiku looks like a simple three-line poem. However, its structure is a bit more complicated than that- the lines follow strict syllabic rules. The first and third lines must consist of 5 syllables each, while the second line must have 7 syllables (a syllable is a single unit of sound). This makes a haiku consist of 17 syllables in total. For instance:

An old silent pond (5)

A frog jumps into the pond— (7)

Splash! Silence again. (5)

– “The Old Pond” by Matsuo Bashō

2. Deciding on a theme

Traditionally, the purpose of a haiku was to describe the seasons and how they changed throughout the year. However, contemporary haikus are not always written about nature. Most haikus do continue to follow a fundamental rule, though- that a haiku must juxtapose two contrasting themes or images in its content. This can be done by using a “kireji“, or a cutting word, which can be helpful but is not necessary. In the haiku above, “Splash!” would be considered the kireji, as it juxtaposes the silence of the pond against the sound of the frog jumping in.

3. Identifying word/ kigo

While it is not necessary to write about nature while composing a haiku, most poets use “kigo” which is any word  or phrase that relates to nature, placing the haiku in a particular season. Using a kigo allows you to write about any theme you please, while also paying homage to the traditional structure of a haiku. Some of the most classic kigo are sakura (cherry blossoms) for spring; fuji (Wisteria) for summer; tsuki (moon) for fall; and samushi (cold) for winter.

Here is an example of kigo in a haiku not written about nature:

love between us is

speech and breath. loving you is

a long river running.

 –  Sonia Sanchez “Haiku [for you]”

Here, the poet uses the word “river” as a kigo, referencing nature in a poem about love.

And that makes you all set to write your first haiku! Feel free to share them with us on social media for a chance to get featured. Happy writing folks!

Post contributed by CF Amnah

Ingredients:

• 1 roll puff pastry
•  2-3 apples of your choice
•  3 tablespoons granulated sugar
•  3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 205C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Cut puff pastry into two long strips
3. Peel apples, cut them in half through the core, and remove the core. Place the halved apples cut side down, and slice into very thin pieces.
4. Arrange apples on the pastry, overlapping each other slightly, leaving a bit of a border around the sides. For each tart, sprinkle half of the sugar and gently brush with half of the melted butter.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until edges are golden brown. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack.
6. Serve warm or at room temperature. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve with ice cream if you like.

Post contributed by Senior CF Grace

Hello everyone! It’s me again, bringing you some slices of good news in an attempt to brighten up what has otherwise been a shambles of a year. Congratulations on getting through a year of the pandemic – you’re amazing! We at Resilife are here to support you. Join our team here.

1. A true icon!

(https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/la-verne-ford-wimberly-fashion-church-tulsa/)

Wimberley (pictured above) is a gorgeous 82-year-old lady, who is dressing up in her Sunday best for her church services. Wimberley hasn’t let Zoom stop her from being badass, and neither should you!

2. We are back and better than ever!

(https://www.mylondon.news/news/zone-1-news/revellers-pack-soho-first-friday-20406761)

As of the 12^th April, Londoners have been able to celebrate outside with pals. Whether you like a drink at the pub, or a meal out, we can wrap up warm and enjoy time with our friends again. I don’t know about you but for me it has been lovely to see the world opening again.

3. 3-day weekend anyone?

Spain is the first European country to begin trialling a 4 day working week. Studies have shown that having a 4 day working week and a 3 day weekend improves employee wellbeing, productivity, and also reduces emissions. Sounds like a win win win win to me! Lets hope England catches on to this idea soon… If not I’m moving to spain, who’s with me?

Post contributed by CF Jacky

Finally gyms are starting to open, and I’m sure many are excited for it.

Both Waterloo and London Bridge are now open and Strand (Bush House West Wing) will reopen on Monday 26th April.

I haven’t been to the waterloo and London bridge gyms, but the one at Strand is my favourite! Don’t miss your chance to have some good workouts in those amazing gyms, it’s good to take a break between studying. 😊

Good luck everyone with exams!!

Find out more about King’s Sport here

Post contributed by CF Jiashu

London was settled by the Romans around 50 AD, where it served as a commercial centre until its abandonment in the 5^th century. During these four hundred years of Roman rule, many traces of this period can still be found today. Here are three Roman heritages I recommend to visit:

1. London Wall

The wall, built between 190 and 225 AD, is a defensive wall that encircled Roman London, which mostly covers the City of London today. The wall continued to be maintained and strengthened until at least the end of the 4^th century, making it one of the most consistently maintained structures in Roman Britain. It was also one of the largest, alongside Hadrian’s wall and the road network, for once built, the wall was 2 miles long and 6 metres high.

After the abandonment of Londinium by the Romans, the walls remained to be used actively as fortification for more than another 1,000 years. It underwent constant repairs, such as when London was reconquered by the Anglo-Saxons during the Viking raids, when Alfred the Great carried out building projects to rebuild crumbling defences,  recut the defensive ditch, and resettled the city as Lundenburg.

The wal lwas further modified in the medieval period, with the construction of crenellations, gates and bastion towers. This formed part of a defensive line that incorporated The Tower of London, Baynard’s Castle and Montfichet’s Tower.

It was not until as late as the 18th and 19th centuries that the wall underwent substantial demolition, although even then large portions of it survived by being incorporated into other structures. Amid the devastation of the Blitz in WW2, some of the tallest ruins in the bomb-damaged city centre were actually remnants of the Roman wall. The wall survives today in several locations.

2. Roman Burial

In 1995 archaeological investigations were carried out on the site of the Baltic Exchange, now known as the site of 30 St Mary Axe.

During these investigations, the body of the young Roman was found and removed to the Museum of London. Buried over 1600 years ago, between AD 350 and 400, she was finally returned to her original resting place twelve years after she was first discovered and removed from the City of London.

An inscription on modern burial site says:

DIS MANIBVS PVELLA INCOGNITA LONDINIENSIS HIC SEPVLTA EST

To the spirits of the dead, the unknown young girl from Roman London lies buried here. The burial would have lain just outside an early boundary ditch marking the edge of the Roman city. The body was supine, with the head to the south and the arms folded across the body (with the right forearm over the left). Pottery found in association with the burial has been dated to AD 350-400. Her resting place resides at the foot of the Gherkin.

3. Roman Fort

The Roman fort of Londinium (City of London, England) was built around 120 AD, just north-west of the main population settlement.

It covered 12 acres and was almost square in size, 200m along each length. As Londinium grew, the fort was later absorbed into the defensive wall that surrounded the city.

The fort could house up to 1000 men and provided suitable barracks and gated entry. However, a century later the site was decommissioned and buildings dismantled as the military situation in the southern edge of Britannia had become more secure.

Today, the forts northern and western edges still remain visible, along with Saxon fortifications and medieval bastion towers as part of the Barbican and Museum of London complex.

Ramadan Mubarak! Happy Ramadan!

Muslim Prayer rooms are still open to King’s staff and students, but due to COVID-19 it is for private prayer. Dedicated Muslim prayer facilities can be found at:

• Guy’s Campus: the basement of the Hodgkin Building
• Strand Campus: the first basement at the Strand (S-1.03)
• Waterloo Campus: the first floor of Franklin Wilkins building at Waterloo, opposite the Prayer and Quiet room
• Denmark Hill Campus: Room W1.07, Main Building, Institute of Psychiatry

FRIDAY PRAYERS: Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the usual places which hold Friday Jumma prayers are not open to the general public due to pressures of space.

King’s College London Students Union has several faith-related student societies who book centrally timetabled rooms for prayer, worship, and regular activities. They may also book chaplaincy facilities. Please email chaplaincy@kcl.ac.uk

Please see the Ramadan newsletter from Abdul Choudhury (Muslim Chaplain)

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/aboutkings-assets-deans/dean-docs/ramadhan-newsletter-2021.pdf

Ingredients:

• 50g softened butter
• 50g light soft brown sugar
• 7 pineapple rings in syrup, drained and syrup reserved
• 7 glacé cherries
For the cake
• 100g softened butter
• 100g golden caster sugar
• 100g self-raising flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs

Method:

• Heat oven to 180C
• For the topping, beat softened butter and light soft brown sugar together until creamy.
Spread over the base and a quarter of the way up the sides of a round cake tin. Arrange
7 pineapple rings on top (reserving the syrup for later), then place glacé cherries in the
centres of the rings.
• Place softened butter, golden caster sugar, self-raising flour, baking powder, vanilla
extract and eggs in a bowl along with of the reserved pineapple syrup. Using an electric
whisk, beat to a soft consistency.
• Spoon into the tin on top of the pineapple and smooth it out so it’s level. Bake for 35
mins. Leave to stand for 5 mins, then turn out onto a plate. Serve warm with a scoop of
ice cream

1. The Japanese Landscape

Composed of three garden areas, the Japanese Landscape provides an unique sense of relaxation during your visit to Kew gardens. Reminiscent of a traditional Japanese tea garden, the Garden of Peace, featuring stone lanterns and a dripping water basin.

Raked gravel and large rocks in the sloped garden of Activity represent the movement of the flowing water. The garden of harmony unites thee two. All three gardens combine to form a peaceful, manicured oasis.

At the centre of the Japanese Landscape is the Chokushi-Mon, or Gateway of the Imperial Messenger. It was created for the Japan-British Exhibition of 1910 and is a replica of the Gate of Nishi Hongan-ji (Western Temple of the Original Vow) in Kyoto, Japan. Its finely carved wooden panels feature stylized flowers and animals that depict an ancient legend.

2. The Temperate House

The Temperate House, originally opened in 1863, is the world’s largest Victorian glasshouse. It has been an iconic landmark of Kew for more than 250 years. The Temperate House reopened in 2018 after a five-year renovation project.

Filled with 10,000 individual plants, it is home to 1,500 species from Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the Americas, Asia, and the Pacific Islands, including some of the world’s rarest and most threatened temperate plants. All of the species require conditions above 50 degrees to survive.

3. The Treetop Walkway

You’ll find 14,000 trees in Kew Gardens. The walkway provides an opportunity to get closer to those trees and offers views of the garden and the city beyond.

Made of weathered steel that blends into the natural environment, the walkway stands 59 feet tall. It is 656 feet long and loops through the upper branches of beech, sweet chestnut, horse chestnut, and oak trees.

The walkway offers a unique, ethereal perspective of nature. You’ll love watching bird and insect behaviour at this height and hearing the breeze rustling the branches.

The 188 steps to the walkway are a manageable climb, since the steps are broken up into several flights and there’s a landing at the end of each flight. There is room on each landing to step out of the path of oncoming climbers to rest or simply take a few moments to admire the view. The walkway itself has chest-high railings, and several circular jut-outs along the way provide additional viewpoints. There is an elevator, but it was out of service on the day I visited. If you plan to use the elevator, check the Kew Gardens website for information about the elevator’s status. As I write this, the site says that the elevator is currently out of service.

There is no additional charge to access the Treetop Walkway. It closes an hour before the whole garden closes.

4. The Palm House

The Palm House, which opened in 1848, was the first glasshouse to be built at Kew Gardens. Inside, you’ll find lush vegetation and dense, moist air. Many of the plants in the collection are endangered in the wild, and some are even extinct.

Rainforest plants cover only 2 percent of the world’s surface but make up 50 percent of plant species. Look for the Madagascar periwinkle, now used to treat a number of different types of cancer; the rubber tree; the cocoa tree; and the cycads, or palm-like plants that were widespread more than 250 million years ago.

5. The Princess of Wales Conservatory

This conservatory is the newest glasshouse at Kew Gardens. It opened in 1987, and its 10 computer-controlled climate zones showcase a variety of ecosystems. In the carnivorous plant zone, you’ll find predatory plants such as Venus flytraps and pitcher plants.

There are cacti and succulents in the dry tropical zone, orchids and bromeliads in the steamy zones, and a giant water lily in the wet tropical zone, making this conservatory a diverse one to explore.