Taking Care of Your Mental Health in College

By Tyler Nicol on August 13, 2018

College can be a stressful time. As students, we have to worry about classes, internships, jobs, our social lives, and many other things. It is easy to get overwhelmed trying to balance everything. All of the stressors, along with other factors, have caused many students to struggle with mental health issues. This is becoming more common in today’s society than ever before. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “one in five young adults will experience a mental health condition during college.”

Unfortunately, most mental health conditions develop around the college-age. If you struggle with any form of a mental health condition or just the stress of school, here are some things you can do that will hopefully help you out.

Make time for things you enjoy

When you go to college, school is your priority (hopefully). But that doesn’t mean that it should affect your college experience by causing too much stress. It may seem difficult to fit things other than class and studying into your daily activities, however, it is doable and worth it in the end. Having balance in your daily schedule is key to enjoying college and limiting the toll it can have on your brain.

You may find it helpful to schedule your week out, either on paper or electronically. When you have a set schedule, it is easier to juggle multiple daily tasks. It will allow you to study more efficiently, especially if you know you have 3 hours before going out with friends or going to that club meeting you’ve been thinking about trying.

Your campus is probably filled with different clubs and sports that you can do in your free time. You just have to find what is right for you. My campus has a student organization night once a semester where all the clubs and sports are in one place to allow you to explore your options. Most of them allow you to sign up right on the spot. See if your campus has anything similar if you are not sure where to start.

Interacting with others is extremely important for your mental health. Some campuses even have mental health clubs where you can talk with people who relate to you. Participating in student organizations is a great way to get involved with new things and meet people.

photo via unsplash

Try cutting things out of your routine

Some things may have a negative impact on your mental health without you realizing it. In college, you are likely more exposed to alcohol and drugs, which can affect your health and mental well-being. It may be best to spend your time doing other things that will benefit you, especially if you are struggling with any kind of mental health issue. If your friends don’t want to go out and do other things, try making friends with interests that are better for you.

Another contributor to mental health effects is social media. Social media was designed to connect people and bring them closer together. In reality, it more often causes us to worry about what other people are doing and to compare others to ourselves. If you frequently go on social media, this can be impacting you more than you realize. It is definitely beneficial to limit how often you go on social media. Try cutting it out completely, if you are able to, for a brief time to see if it improves your daily life.

photo via unsplash

Exercise and eating right

It may appear that people work out for the physical benefits, but exercise has mental health benefits as well. Exercising regularly can relieve stress, limit depression and anxiety, and increase your overall mood. There are endorphins and other bodily chemicals that are released when doing any kind of physical activity, giving you that boost in mood.

It can be hard to get on a solid work out schedule. It can even be difficult to get out and start. Once you get into the habit of going to the gym, running, or playing a sport, you will see the difference and know that it is worth it. Exercise seems to tire you out when you are in the moment, but it gives you the energy you need in the long run.

On top of exercising, eating regularly is very important. Being in college and having a busy schedule can make it easy to forget to eat regular meals. You may even struggle to get enough calories because of your mental health. Whatever the case may be, do your best to eat meals throughout the day and make healthy diet choices. Eating right contributes to your energy level and your exercise performance, so it is crucial. If you do have a schedule planned out, adding times for you to eat could be helpful.

photo via unsplash

Seek help if you need it

The most important thing is that you seek professional help when you need it. Only you know how you are truly feeling and if it is in your best interest to talk with someone. It can be helpful even if you are unsure about what you are going through because it is difficult to fully understand depression, anxiety, and other illnesses. Mental Health America outlines the steps you can take to see a professional. You can also visit your campus health center. Most offer similar services that you would get from an outside provider.

Mental health issues are affecting college students at an alarming rate. We struggle with managing our overwhelming schedules and are constantly impacted by our environment. It is necessary to realize that many other people around us are going through similar things. Take steps towards improving yourself as much as possible, such as participating in extracurricular activities, exercising, and minimizing unhealthy habits. Get professional help if you need it. College isn’t an easy time in our lives, but taking care of your mental health makes all the difference in making your college experience the best it can be.

 

 

 

 

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