UM & wellbeing
In the wake of the COVID pandemic, themes like physical and mental wellbeing are perhaps more relevant and important than ever. Maastricht University devotes a great deal of attention to the wellbeing of its students and staff. A healthy and safe environment, personal development and support, and other related topics are key elements of our education, research and our Strategic Programme 2022-2026.
In addition, the university offers a wide range of initiatives and activities related to wellbeing. Read more about these initiatives and activities here, or keep reading for more 'UM & wellbeing' news, stories, press releases, videos and background information.
Read more: Stories & interviews
Know more: News & press releases
See more: Videos
More UM: Wellbeing at UM
UM Theme pages assemble relevant content on one important or topical theme within UM, from stories to news and from videos to background information.
Evidence-based health tips for students
In the past months, we shared tips for our students on how to live a healthier life. Not just a random collection, but tips based on actual research happening at our faculty. The brains behind this idea are Lieve Vonken and Gido Metz, PhD candidates at CAPHRI, the Care and Public Health Research Institute and researchers at the Department of Health Promotion.
Read more?
Evidence-based health tips for students: the science of eating healthy
In the upcoming months, we’ll share tips for our students on how to live a healthier life. Not just a random collection, but tips based on actual research happening at our faculty. The brains behind this idea are Lieve Vonken and Gido Metz, PhD candidates at CAPHRI, the Care and Public Health Research Institute and researchers at the Department of Health Promotion. In this edition, Kathelijne Bessems covers eating healthy and tasty on a budget.
Why ‘You look young for your age!’ is not necessarily a compliment
“You look young for your age!”, “Young people are innovative” or “Population ageing is a problem”. These are all statements that express wrongful assumptions about age. Prof. dr. Aagje Swinnen holds a chair with specialised remit in Ageing Studies at UM. She studies the cultural meaning behind ageing and the stigmas attached to growing old. This month, she started running a humorous T-shirt campaign amongst UM students and staff, to make them aware of the ideal of youth that our society clings to.
Alumna Jikkie Has: The power of professional confidence
In the series ‘From Alumnus to Author’, we shine a spotlight on UM alumni who share their knowledge and experiences through books. This time, we focus on Jikkie Has, who in 2020, right in the midst of the pandemic, published her first book Zakelijk Zelfvertrouwen (Professional Confidence). By sharing her insights and expertise, she hopes to help others stand strong and confident in their professional lives.
2024
Eline: “Are you facing difficulties during your studies? Never hesitate to ask for help”
Evidence-based health tips for students: the science of eating healthy
Why ‘You look young for your age!’ is not necessarily a compliment
Reflections on the Keti Koti Dialogue Table at UM
Unwealthy, unhealthy – the long shadow of financial strain
Estella: “When you study with a disability, you have a different reality. I don’t compare myself to others anymore”
Alumna Jikkie Has: The power of professional confidence
Evidence-based health tips for students: supermarket psychology
Evidence-based health tips for students: the science of love and sex
Reimagining financial wellbeing
Evidence-based health tips for students: the science of studying
Evidence-based health tips for students: the science of sleep
Practical solutions for dignified ageing
Studying with ADHD: tips to avoid concentration problems and planning issues
Above-average numbers of Limburgers are overweight.
Improve your well-being with support from the Wellbeing Team
Memories about failed grant applications
Feeling lonely in PBL: a personal reflection
Get out of your comfort zone and meet new people with Uni-Life
Turn complaints into improvements
Moss art in education: a tool for reflection and problem-solving
From study to work: how do we ease the transition?
Volunteering: thrive by helping others thrive
Learning to stay calm in life-threatening situations
First-generation student Pavlos: “Focus on the solutions, not the obstacles. Thanks to that mindset, I was able to pursue a master’s in the end”
2023
First-generation student Joy: “It is not a given that I can study. So, I want to gain everything from it I can”
Manon Claeys, motivation mover and learning expert at Alert!
“The law is not neutral”
First-generation student Nahdjay: “I feel pressure to prove that my degree is worth it”
Are you okay? lecture available to all UM students
A fan of the snack bar
The cycling coach as sports scientist
'There is a lot we can do to provide children with more comfort'
“Your body knows what it needs”
“Our achievements shouldn’t define our self-worth”
Panic: what you should (or shouldn’t) do
2022
'Letter from Máxima lowers threshold for young people to talk about mental health'
How to improve your resilience in uncertain times
Well-being key focus at conference on healthy buildings
Not doing so good, doing well
COVID-19 pandemic major impact on graduates university of applied sciences
What does commitment to well-being mean for your employees?
Prioritising student wellbeing
Feeling 'different'
2021
Mindfulness: can we have your full attention?
Your wellbeing is more important than ever
Well-being, Women and Work in Ethiopia
“We need to actively involve people in vulnerable population groups in research on healthy living”
International Yoga Day 2021
2019
Know more?
Healthy lunches and active play: the secret to better Maths scores?
Researchers at Maastricht University's CAPHRI institute have uncovered a significant link between healthy eating, increased physical activity, and improved mathematics performance in primary school children. This groundbreaking research aligns perfectly with CAPHRI's mission to improve public health through innovative solutions, bridging the gap between science and society.
How psychological stress leads to intestinal inflammation
An international research consortium, including NUTRIM researcher Zlatan Mujagic and other researchers from Maastricht, has investigated the effects of stress on the gut. At last, this research has unraveled how stress leads to worsening inflammatory bowel diseases. This knowledge opens doors for new treatments for IBD. The study was published in the leading journal Cell and recently summarized by Zlatan in the Dutch Journal of Medicine.
Daily dose of nuts improves memory
Healthy eating is not only good for the body, but also for the brain. Research by Kevin Nijssen shows that elderly people who eat two handfuls of nuts every day had better memory and brain perfusion after four months than during a period when they did not eat any additional nuts.
2025
Ozempic – obesity solved?
Why some people hesitate to vaccinate and how healthcare can address this
2024
Healthy lunches and active play: the secret to better Maths scores?
Children who get a healthy lunch and more exercise at school do better in maths
Obesity: Look beyond body weight
Three things the Pandemic Taught Us About Social Behavior in Crisis
Healthy Primary School of the Future is expanding to the rest of The Netherlands
How psychological stress leads to intestinal inflammation
Why you should exercise even more
"Wellbeing, Women and Work in Ethiopia" (3WE) project publishes good practices report
Laughing gas affects driving behaviour long after use
Daily dose of nuts improves memory
Mental health determines the risk of developing dementia at a young age
2023
Dutch Day on Optimization
The Misleading Simplicity of 'Low Fat'
Government commissioner Mariette Hamer discusses sexual safety
2021
Attention for employee well-being also beneficial for companies
Students come up with creative cycling apps
2020
Nursing homes will go all out to prevent visiting bans during the second coronavirus wave
Volunteering: thrive by helping others thrive
3rd year European Law School student Natalia Podstawka is one of several UM students to have received a Global Citizenship certificate for her volunteering work. These Civic Engagement Activities foster a sense of community and meaning and offer opportunities for personal growth.
Not all bad: social media also have a positive impact on mental health
Surely there can be no upsides to scrolling each day through platforms that encourage us to compare ourselves unfavourably with others? There are in fact benefits, says Philippe Verduyn, associate professor at the Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience. He has spent a decade studying the impact of...
Welcome to the UM community!
Do you sometimes think ‘I would like to belong somewhere’ as a student at UM? Or are there times when you feel lonely? Since September 2021 you are welcome at the UM community (UMc). A community run by students for students that wants to make sure all UM students feel at home here and have company.
What does it take to write a play? Find out with this proposal from Toneelgroep Maastricht
On 24 April, you can enjoy A Seagull, an adaptation of the famous play by Anton Chekhov, by Toneelgroep Maastricht (a renowned Dutch theatre company) in Theater aan het Vrijthof. The play is Dutch spoken, but will have English surtitles, which means you can read the English translation on screens...
Feeling 'different'
With the project 'About not being an Einstein', made possible by a grant from the Diversity & Inclusivity Office, Anke Smeenk wants to ensure that being gifted is more widely recognised at Maastricht University.
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More information?
Wellbeing at UM
Maastricht University considers student welfare a key priority. In addition, sustainable employability of our employees is central to our HR policy, with a strong focus on diversity, inclusivity, leadership and career development. Our Strategic Programme 2022-2026 gives you more information about our vision and ambitions for the next five years, including our ambitions regarding wellbeing.
In line with our vision and ambitions, there are many initiatives, activities and programmes within UM that can contribute to the wellbeing of our students and employees. Here are some examples.
More information for students
More information for employees (via intranet)
The Wellbeing Movement
The Wellbeing Movement (WBM) is an initiative promoting physical and mental wellbeing at Maastricht University (UM). We are here to give you tools towards a healthy and happy student life.
The WBM offers wellbeing information and trainings in many forms, such as relaxation, sports, study skills and other resources. Three of our main events are:
- The Wellbeing Week (yearly): a week full of workshops, talks and other activities centered around your wellbeing
- The Wellbeing Days (year-round): one day each month, entirely devoted to your wellbeing
- Peer-to-peer events (year-round): we support students in organising small-scale events that help them share their passions with others. Do you have a hobby that you want to share with others but don’t know how to organise an event or workshop? Reach out to us and we can help organise it!
@ease
Are you between 12 and 25 years old and having trouble dealing with something? Heartbreak, problems with school or university, loneliness or depression? Whatever it is, @ease provides free and accessible psychological support. You can speak with young volunteers, completely anonymously, at the @ease location or via chat. You will not be asked for your name, your background, your education or your age; no file will be created. The volunteers you speak to are all thoroughly trained and coached. And there is always a team of mental healthcare professionals present. Advice from @ease: are you worried about something or is something bothering you? You can't talk to friends about it? Don't wait, get in touch with us. You'll see that you're definitely not the only one with your problem or question. Talking helps.
The InnBetween
The InnBetween is a place created for and by students where vulnerability and resilience are practiced. A place where together you eat, study, relax, play, and of course, meet people. An open-minded community that brings people from different backgrounds together, also during the lockdown. ‘We offer students professional counselling with the two chaplains, but also opportunities to mean something to one another. In doing so, we are building a community that students are a part of - and responsible for. Being part of a community and feeling at home somewhere is very important for the mental health of students.’
Other theme pages
We also highlight other themes. Below you will find an overview.
UM & Europe
UM & sustainability
