Mental Health Tips For College Students: Feeling overwhelmed as a student is inevitable. managing it could be something we all need to learn. At some point, you will want to give up and go home. DON’T!!! If you can take some time off, relax a bit and perhaps follow the tips listed below on how to manage your mental health as a college student. you will see that it’s worth the journey in the end.
I remember as a college student a few years back, it got to a point where I couldn’t take it anymore, that I even broke down in tears. A load of fees to be paid, academic workloads, tests and exams around the corner, and the family issues that were going on back home as my parents were on the verge of getting a divorce.
it was way too much on me, that one of the evenings when I got back from class, my heart was so heavy and I didn’t have anyone I could talk to at the time. all I did was fall on my knees in my college hostel and cry my heart out. So, if I say I have had my share of the experience of dealing with mental health in college. believe me, I do.
Therefore; in this article, I will be telling you how I handled my mental health issue. but before I do so, what is mental health?
What is mental health?
Mental health is a term we use to describe the state of mind that one’s mind is in at any given time.
The mental state of a person is affected by the thoughts, beliefs, and feelings that one has about himself/herself.
Mental health tips for students are meant to assist people in their quest for mental health and to encourage and empower them.
Mental Health Tips For College Students
If you really care about your productivity as college student, your mental health should be a thing of concern. Thus, it is very important to take care of your mental health while in college. when you don’t , it may lead to varity of issues that will affect your overall college performance.
#1. Get enough Sleep daily:
The first tip that works like magic is getting enough sleep. On that faithful evening after I cried in my dorm. I recall I fell asleep, and when I woke up I felt this sense of peace that allowed figure out what I needed to next.
Students need a lot of sleep as sleep enables them to concentrate better and increase their memory capacity. If a student gets adequate sleep, he/she is able to learn more effectively and can perform better at school. The amount of sleep required would vary from student to student depending on his/her individual requirements.
#2. Eat Healthy
This is a very important Mental Health Tips For College Students. It has been found that students who eat healthily tend to have higher concentration levels and do better at school.
A healthy diet enables the body to assimilate food into the body faster, absorb nutrients better, and provides the body with the right kind of vitamins and minerals. In order to enjoy a healthy lifestyle, you need to find the best food for you and incorporate it into your diet regularly. Some of the best foods for a healthy lifestyle include fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy products, fish, and chicken.
When you drink lots of beer and shots, followed with junk foods like pizza binge at midnight is going to make you feel awful, physically and mentally.
#3. Take Antioxidants
Another tip to improve mental health for students is taking antioxidants. Antioxidants improve the functioning of the immune system.
They also reduce the risk of heart diseases, cancer, and other diseases. Studies have shown that there is an increased risk of developing mental illnesses such as depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder if a person lacks sufficient amounts of antioxidants in his/her body.
Foods that provide a good source of antioxidants include berries, soybeans, citrus fruit, green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, salmon, oats, peas, rice, beans, and seeds.
#4. Exercise Regularly:
Students can improve their mental health through regular exercise. Exercise keeps the mind healthy and boosts concentration. Regular exercise also keeps the weight off and promotes a healthy body. The following health tips for students include scheduling a daily walk – 15 minutes every day, getting 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily, getting 30 minutes of cardiovascular workout every day, and maintaining a healthy diet by including antioxidant-rich food in the diet.
#5. Take sometime out to Relax from Tidous Activities
Students also need to learn how to relax properly. Stressful situations can cause an increase in blood pressure and heartbeat rate and can disrupt sleep patterns. A good night’s sleep helps in the recovery process and maintains mental health and emotional well-being. Sleep also helps in the growth of the brain and memory.
#6. Learn how to manage time well
Learning how to manage time well is also beneficial in the mental health of a student. The ability to prioritize tasks determines how productive a person is and how well they can deal with problems. Learning how to organize one’s life to fit in all the demands while fitting in activities is important as well. This skill enables a student to work productively while having enough time for other important things. Students can improve their organizational skills by making lists and keeping schedules and goals for each day.
#7. Motivate yourself
This particular Mental Health Tip was my favorite. Self-talk is a very important component of the mental wellness of a student.
Students who practice positive self-talk are more likely to be independent and confident. This also improves coping with stress and improves overall mental health. Other tips for mental health in students include learning how to manage social relationships well.
The way a student handles himself makes up part of his or her personality and has a lasting impact on how that person acts and feels like the rest of their lives. Students can improve their social interaction skills through conversation and socialization with others.
#8. Build A Strong Support Network:
Building a support network is mental health advice for students that should be undertaken by everyone. It can also be helpful to be part of someone else’s support network. Every student feels overwhelmed, confused, and discouraged at some point in their university life.
Being able to seek help from others can mean the difference between giving up and being successful. Your support network should include teachers, friends, family members, resident counselors, your counselor, and anyone else who you think can help you overcome a problem.
Assign roles to everyone in your support network. For example, call your friend for an encouraging conversation when you have a bad day. Email your teacher if you feel overwhelmed with homework, or call home if you are homesick.
#9. Avoid alcohol and other drugs:
Many think that the life of the party is what College Life is. What you may not understand is that you can celebrate in college without using drugs or alcohol. You do not need any substances to help you meet new friends or have a good time. You do not have to relax.
In fact, drugs and alcohol prevent them from relaxing. They create problems, do not solve. And the negative consequences can take days.
Avoid drugs and alcohol is the top of the psychic health for students who can prevent tomcat, late for lessons, sleep problems and they are ridiculous.
There are many sober activities that take place on your campus and sober groups and peer mentors if you need additional help to avoid the party. My scene thinks that the life of the party is the collegial life. What you may not understand is that you can celebrate in college without using drugs or alcohol. You do not need any substances to help you meet new friends or have a good time. You do not have to relax.
#10. Pay a visit to your Campus Counselor:
This is my final tip, although i didnt use this during my time i strongly recommend it. may be it was because of my school counselor was not really available, im sure i would opt in for it.
This student mental health tip can be a cornerstone. Counseling has been so frowned upon over the years, but luckily students are realizing its benefits and the stigma is subsiding.
Meeting with a campus counselor or a counselor in the community can teach you how to use stress management techniques, how to calm down before a test, and how to deal with other issues you may face.
With the consultation, you will receive a set time just for you. You can contact someone who will keep your statements confidential. They give you objective advice and even help you with time management, goal setting, and building a support network.
Conclusion:
Taking care of your mental health as a college students should be overemphasied. follow all these tips enumerated in this article trust me you will be in control of everything.
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