1. Value yourself
It’s easy to be hard on yourself when you’re not feeling your best. Treat yourself with kindness and try to avoid being critical to yourself. If needed, take a break every now by making time for your hobbies or even starting on something you’ve always been interested in. It can also help to have a change of scenery. It could be taking five minutes to clean your room, getting a snack, or taking a walk outside.
2. Eat Healthy
Healthy eating leads to a healthy mental health. It’s a good tip to keep in mind what you’re eating on a daily basis. Make sure to drink 10 cups of water a day. Eating brain foods such as blueberries, nuts, or food that are rich in fatty acids such as salmon, tuna, trout, or cod can help with improving concentration and memory.
3. Exercise
Exercise can help decrease depression and anxiety while improving your mood. Whether it be taking a small walk or taking the stairs instead of the elevator, can reduce stress and increase concentration and even decrease anxiety. By exercising, your body releases endorphins, your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitter, that can decrease stress and improve your sense of well-being.
4. Sleep Well
Sleep plays a large factor in one’s mental health and overall, well-being. It’s one of the factors that many college students tend to sacrifice when it comes to cramming late night hours of studying. Studies recommend getting at least 7 hours of sleep as the lack of sleep can contribute to depression. Having an adequate amount of sleep helps with improving concentration and academic performance. Try keeping that in mind the next time you try sleeping for 3 hours or pulling an all-nighter to study for an exam.
5. Connect with Others
People with strong family or social connections tend to be healthier than those who lack it. Even starting a conversation with a new stranger can improve one’s mood and mentality. This can be making plans with your friends or even seeking out social events (clubs, classes, support groups) to meet new people. The main goal isn’t trying to make as many new friends as possible, but to focus on building the quality of your relationships.
6. Find Support
If you or someone you know is struggling, it’s always good to find support. This may be a friend, a family member, a mental health professional, or even a counselor. If the person you sought for support isn’t giving you the kind of support you need, look for another individual that is better for you. That being said, finding support is just as important as giving support. If someone you know is feeling down, make sure to offer a hand and be supportive of them
7. Experiment
Try looking for things that can help you relax. Whether it be from reading, painting, baking or even just writing down your thoughts in a journal, if it works, try it again. The point of doing these activities is to improve wellness. Since we’re shooting for a long-term fix, short-term fixes like alcohol, pills, or any other form of substance abuse should not be considered.