5 Ways You Can Boost Your Mental Health While at College

We get it, college is hard enough as it is. Add a once-in-a-century global pandemic into the mix, and it all becomes a bit too much to process. When you have so many things going on around you, it’s easy to neglect the importance of your mental health. The stress-reducing steps below will help you throughout college and beyond! 

Get Enough Sleep

Procrastination is so tempting! Why study when you can relax and hang out with your friends? After all, there is plenty of time until your finals. What you might not realize is that the more you procrastinate, the more stressed you’ll be. And when will that stress hit you the most? That’s right – just when you are trying to fall asleep. And it gets even worse as your deadlines approach. Now you’re pulling all-nighters at the end of the semester. And if you’re burning the midnight oil, you’re not sleeping. Sleep is essential for your mental health, so if you want to have fun AND do well in school, you’d better stick to your six to eight hours of shut-eye. 

Make Your Bed a Non-work Area

Separate your work space from your sleep space to ward off insomnia. Do all of your homework at your desk, rather than on your bed. When you are ready to go to sleep, you’ll discover that it’s easier to let go of the stress associated with your classes. 

Lay off the Caffeine and Late-night Snacks

Don’t mess with your body’s internal clock. Try to limit meals and caffeine consumption to a few hours before bed. 

Don’t Fear the Dark

Try to keep your room as dark, quiet, and cool as possible. This sends a message to your body that it’s time to sleep and helps you get a good night’s rest. 

Eat a Healthy Diet

That juicy slice of pizza will boost your mood for a short while. But, in the long run, junk food won’t do you any favors. Healthy foods, such as lean meats, nuts, legumes, fruit and vegetables, will give you plenty of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These nutrients are premium fuel for your brain and they will get you through those long cramming sessions. 

Make Healthy Eating Convenient

Fill your fridge and room with healthy snacks, so when you get the munchies, you won’t resort to Cheetos, but will grab a fruit or a vegetable instead. 

Avoid Skipping Meals

With a hectic daily schedule, it’s easy to skip regular meals as you race to class, your job, or the library. Try to stock your backpack with healthy foods you can eat on the run so you’ll have the energy to keep going.

Cheat Day Is OK

Indulge yourself once in a while. Give yourself a break with a little treat now and then but don’t overdo it. 

Know Your Limits

In college, you already have a lot on your plate. Taking on too many extracurricular activities may look like fun, but at some point you must draw the line. When you’re juggling a full course load, a part-time job, and numerous other activities, you won’t get enough sleep and you will feel constantly on edge. 

Enough is Enough

You can’t work all the time. Don’t stretch yourself too thin. Make a schedule and give yourself time to sleep and rest up so you won’t get sick.

Have a Break

After working steadily for hours, give your eyes and mind a chance for a break. And you can even apply for a scholarship during that break, as we now have a “Study Break Scholarship“. All you have to do is post a pic of your study break snack to your social media. When you come back you will feel more refreshed and ready to go.  

Be Realistic

Sometimes you just can’t get everything done in one day. Set realistic goals. 

Take Time to Make Time

Take time for yourself. Find a way to squeeze in the things you love doing, even if it is just half an hour a day. A walk in the park, a pick-up basketball game, watching your favorite show, arts and crafts – whatever helps you relieve stress and keep your mental health in balance. 

Take up a Hobby

Find out what you like doing and make time for it. This will keep you from getting too stressed out.

Pace Yourself

Putting off the start of a big project until the last minute is easy. Yet, if you give yourself more time to work on it, you’ll be less stressed out. 

Spend Time With Friends.

Eating dinner or just hanging out and watching TV with friends will cheer you up and make you forget about homework for a while. 

Reach Out for Help

You’re flying the nest for the first time. You may have a roommate, but it’s not the same as living with your family. If you feel overwhelmed, don’t try to muscle through it on your own. If you need extra support, consider talking with the RA in your dorm, or schedule an appointment with your campus health center. By simply reaching out for help, you’ll already feel more empowered. 

Don’t Cut the Cord

Keep in touch with family and friends. This will help you beat homesickness and loneliness. 

Build Bridges

Use a new environment to meet new people and form new friendships whenever possible.

Forget About the Stigma

Your piece of mind is top priority. Don’t feel embarrassed or ashamed to ask for help if you are feeling anxious, depressed or have other mental health concerns. 

Conclusion

In college, you constantly deal with challenges in and out of the classroom. If you don’t take a breather from daily stress every now and then, it can take a toll on your mental health. Fortunately, there are ways and strategies to help you cope.