Taking care of our mental health is a priority for everyone these days. Collectively we have been through a lot, and it’s hard to keep a positive attitude all the time. While feeling defeated on some days is normal, when we start to experience frequent anxiety or symptoms of depression, it’s critical that we take steps to minimize them. Throw into the mix of everything else going on a heavy class load, extracurriculars, and studying for important exams – college life can be challenging to balance responsibilities and mental health challenges. Let us take a look at some ways to guard our mental health as students and roll with the punches of student life and life in general. 

Stay Social 

Making friends in college is an essential part of the entire collegiate experience. If you struggle to meet new people, it’s worth considering joining a sorority or fraternity to have a sense of community and make like-minded friends. You can also consider joining clubs or movements with people who share the same values and interests as you. In addition to the aforementioned, just getting out and about on campus is a great way to meet people. Even if you consider yourself shy, be open to people approaching you and starting a conversation. You may not hit it off with everyone you interact with, but the more people you meet, the more likely you’ll establish a social circle that keeps you engaged. Connection is critical to human happiness, so prioritize socialization. 

Maintain Your Physical Health 

A critical part of our emotional and mental well-being is keeping up with our physical well-being. With dynamic course loads and social life, it’s easy to get caught up eating many convenience foods and overly processed late-night meals. While you likely have little room to store fresh foods or cook at home (depending on your living situation), it’s still important to make healthy food choices as often as you can. If you know, you’ll still be eating out, opt for plant-based options when you can. 

Sleep is another massive factor when it comes to our physical well-being. Late nights and partying go hand in hand with many people’s college experiences. While having a good time and enjoying your friendships is necessary, try to make sure you’re limiting that to the weekends and getting adequate sleep during the school week. You want to aim for eight to nine hours of sleep a night. If you struggle with falling asleep or staying asleep, look into sleep aids like Chamomile organic tea or diffusing a Lavender essential oil. 

Of course, one of the most significant components of physical health is exercise. While you’re likely getting in a ton of steps walking around campus, you still should prioritize getting regular cardio exercise several times a week. Most campuses have gyms that are free for students to use – take advantage of them. You can also try gentler activities like yoga if that’s more your speed. Strength training is a critical component of your exercise routines, too, especially if you’re looking to lose weight. 

Seek Appropriate Help 

Sometimes, no matter our commitment to staying social, eating healthy, and getting enough sleep and exercise, we still may struggle with our mental health. In these situations, make sure that you reach out for the appropriate help. Virtually every campus in the country has a student health department, which should be your first stop. Connect with someone in the department and let them know you need help with some mental health issues you’re dealing with. This is not weak; it is wise. Seeking treatment when you know you can’t deal with your problems on your own is stronger than letting them get worse. 

Mental health is so personal, though, and you may not feel like you’re connecting with the therapist or psychiatrist you meet with. If you find that to be the case, or want a second opinion, check with your insurance company to find other providers in your network. Mental health matters, and taking care of yourself is an investment that will pay off in spades for your entire life. By living a balanced lifestyle, you can accomplish this, most likely on your own. And, it’s okay to need some help from time to time. Here’s to your health!