1. Turn Off Netflix Before Bed
I’ll admit that I do this one too many times. What I learned is this is an important habit to break. In my first semester of college, I watched an episode of Grey’s Anatomy before going to sleep. After a few weeks, I didn’t have the energy to wake up to my alarm, once I even missed an early Zoom class. After missing my class, I decided to write my thoughts in a journal, read, and stretch instead of watching Netflix. This has made an improvement in my mental health because I was able to earn a better night's rest, which made the start of the day much easier.
2. Surround Yourself With People Who Support You
A support system is beneficial for a college student. In fact, a support system is important for everyone because it shapes who you are as a person. These people may be family, peers, friends, or mentors. It is crucial to have people surrounding you manage everyday challenges, and combat loneliness. These systems take time to build and can look diverse and different from others. Case studies and qualitative research show that people who have a support system lead healthier lives than those who have weak or no support systems.
3. Don’t Be Afraid To Talk About How You Feel
Your thoughts can linger and tumble in your mind creating different levels of emotions. These may be fear, anxiety, sadness, anger, or any other emotion. It is beneficial to avoid self-criticism. It is important to talk to a person you trust about what is on your mind. This is a strategy that benefits me the most. I talk to my sister about the different stressors in my life. Talking to someone helps get the lumps of consuming emotion off my chest.
4. Mental Healthcare Isn’t One Size Fits All
Adequate access to mental health care can be a struggle to find in your daily life. Many different college students especially, low-income students of color, often struggle with attaining affordable healthcare. Despite the struggle, it is important to keep in mind the option of talking to a professional mental health expert like a therapist, doctor, or counselor. Campuses across the country have been making positive strides to offer daily support services on campus to their students at no cost. Types of research that you can consider are finding your local health care provider or school’s website to learn how about when and where you can seek treatment.
5. Yes, Eat Healthy and Exercise Too
It is important to maintain a healthy body inside and out. Eating the right foods and exercising for 60 minutes each day can be beneficial to your overall wellness, including a strong mental health outlook. Some foods to stay away from including processed foods, fried foods, and a high concentration of dairy. To educate and learn more of the types of food that takes care of your brain and mental health can be found in case studies originating from medical school publications
6. Be Creative
Creative outlets provide a positive coping mechanism for alleviating your worries. It gives something to express how you feel and channels your mental state through using your brain and energy for creativity. This may include writing poetry, making pottery, painting, and knitting. To further your research, you can utilize experimental studies to find out how creativity affects independent and control groups.
7. Take a Day For Yourself
Scrolling through social media, turning in assignments, keeping up with social relationships, and taking care of your own body can cause harmful effects on your mental health if you overwork and drain yourself. In my experience, I've struggled with this in my everyday life. I find it beneficial to take a few hours or even a day to recharge the amount of energy I use. This includes taking walks, reading, staying off my phone, interacting with the people around me, and reminding myself what my goals are.