College is challenging—we won’t argue with that. As much as students find their academics a priority, health and wellness should almost be a top concern. In this article, we will give you five tips to maintain a mentally healthy lifestyle.
The Life of a College Student: From College Classes to Immense Stress
What should we expect in college life? Joining clubs, a happy campus life, new friends, and social activities—sounds exciting, right? I hate to break it to you, but the college lifestyle is not all glittery fun. Long nights, lack of sleep, a busy week, demanding workloads, extended study sessions, strict deadlines, complicated classes, social problems, and extremely hard exams—those are just a few of the hurdles that we’ll experience in the college lifestyle. College students frequently find it difficult to juggle their academic and social lives and responsibilities with their personal lives and social activities, and because of this, a lot of them are struggling mentally.
College is no joke. It may be a period of tremendous growth and development for other students, but it can also be a period filled with tremendous stress. This includes financial struggles, academic pressure, homesickness, and much more, which may negatively impact your mental health. It's essential that you take care of your mental health while you're in college. A study states that a lot of students suffer from psychological stress, anxiety, and even depression. A student may experience social and academic difficulties due to mental health issues, which can be devastating. Neglecting your mental health may result in a range of problems that might hinder your productivity and overall academic performance.
For a college student, the best thing one can do is prioritize their mental health and maintain a mentally healthy lifestyle in school in order to be able to manage all their responsibilities well. So, if you’re just about to step into college, make sure to take note of these tips and apply them for your own good.
Mentally Healthy Lifestyle Tips for College Students
1. Take time for self-care.
In college, it’s very easy to forget to look after yourself because you are too preoccupied with the pile of things you need to get done. However, regardless of how busy you may be, you need to improve your time management skills and start to spend time on self-care.
A really great wellness tip to care for your mental health is to practice self-care. It’s okay to take a break, and it’s more than okay to prioritize yourself. Pause from the busy schedule and put in time to do what makes you feel less stressed and more at peace. Write in a journal, make art, read a book, watch movies, go for a walk—do anything that takes your mind off of the mess in your head. Do your hobbies or meditate; give yourself even just a few hours or 30 minutes to take a fresh breath from the suffocating things.
2. Don't overload yourself.
College students frequently make the mistake of taking on too much. We get it: You want to make the most of it, or maybe you want to improve your credentials, but it’s important to only get what you can take. Even though all of those extracurricular class activities appear to be enjoyable, it's crucial to realize when enough is enough.
Avoid overloading yourself. Balancing a full course load, a lot of extracurricular activities, and more personal interests might result in a life where you don't get sleep and are constantly on edge. It may seem bearable at first, but it tends to get heavier on the shoulders. Remember that you can always refuse and say “no” if you feel like you already have enough!
Consider having a routine. A routine has been proven to reduce stress and help people feel more productive and focused, so consider setting one and make sure to stick with it!
3. Maintain a healthy diet and a healthy body.
You've probably heard this before: Physical health is just as important as mental health, so it's best to prevent overall health problems. Maintaining a focus on physical health prepares the path for enhanced overall mental health and productivity throughout college and beyond. A healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise, a balanced diet, and plenty of sleep not only keeps the body in shape but also ensures the best possible cognitive functioning to support academic success. Eat healthy, get enough sleep, and stay away from things that can harm your physical and mental health.
One of the best wellness tips for students is to eat a balanced diet and drink lots of water, since what you put into your body will affect how you feel. The healthier the foods and liquids you consume, the better your mood will be controlled, and your body will be able to make you feel good. Don't forget to get enough rest as well, no matter how tempting it is to always have late-night study sessions. Sleep deprivation can cause symptoms of depression. Students who prioritize sleep are likely to have benefits like improved academic achievement, an increase in their capacity for concentration while studying, and decreased daytime tiredness. Exercise can also cause better sleep, give you more energy during the day, and help you focus more effectively on your work and on your tests. Moreover, as much as it is tempting to try new things and get peer pressured, it’s best to avoid things that can have negative effects, like alcohol or partying too much. Stay healthy and safe!
4. Reward Yourself
When you set a reward for yourself, you feel more motivated to work hard to achieve success. Eat a fancy meal when you pass the exam and buy the clothes you’ve been eyeing once you receive high marks—you made a lot of progress, and you deserve something nice! You may be more eager to continue your journey through university if you feel proud and confident about your progress.
One neglected tip to maintain a mentally healthy college experience is to reward yourself for your good work. Giving yourself a reward entails taking care of yourself because you deserve it and have worked hard for it. You can tell you're doing a fantastic job when you realize your value and worth, achieve challenging tasks, and meet your goals. Set a new objective after each reward. Once you've achieved it, treat yourself once more. Even when you graduate and enter the professional world, you can carry this practice with you because you should always remind yourself that you are doing well. Be there for yourself, and be proud of yourself.
5. Know when to seek help.
Like I said before, it’s important to know your limit—this applies to how you feel too. One thing that you need to understand is that what you feel is valid, and being vulnerable doesn’t mean you are weak. It’s okay to seek help if you feel like it’s getting too heavy to handle by yourself. When things are too much to handle, there is nothing wrong with consulting a qualified psychologist, therapist, or psychiatrist.
Many students who experience mental health issues put off getting treatment for too long, and as a result, they only approach when their symptoms are already severe and hence far harder to manage. You can start by learning about the resources for mental health on most schools and college campuses, and as soon as you start to notice any signs of a mental health condition in yourself or someone else, it’s best to ask for professional assistance that would benefit your mental wellness. However, make sure that you are also willing to seek help, because being willing to help yourself get through it is very different from forcing someone to get consulted professionally.
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