How To Keep Track Of Your Mental And Physical Well-being As A Student

Students’ mental health can suffer due to the transition to college. While college can be an exciting time for many people, it can also bring challenges such as societal pressures to conform or experiment with drugs and alcohol, impostor syndrome, complexity in accomplishing balance between work and personal life, and a lack of sleep as they come into contact with new people, virtues, and personal experiences, college students may feel disconnected from their support systems at home. These changes increase the likelihood of college students developing mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. School-related stress can exacerbate pre-existing mental health problems.

While the transition to college can be challenging, most students eventually adjust.

Get Enough Rest:

College students always need more hours to do everything they want, whether going to class, studying, socializing, working, playing sports, or participating in extracurricular activities. Sleep is usually the first thing to do in this high-energy environment.

An all-nighter is almost a badge of honour in college. But, in the end, no matter how cool it is or how many more hours you could study if you stayed awake, getting enough sleep is extremely vital for your health and well-being, not to mention your grades. 

Regular exercise is essential:

Exercise can improve your overall fitness and help you sleep better. Students’ attitudes toward exercise can differ. Some people exercise to relieve stress and prioritize it even when they’re busy, while others let it be one of the first things to do when feeling overwhelmed. If you fall into the first category, ensure you’re using exercise as a healthy coping mechanism and that you’re not overworking yourself or losing too much weight. If you fall into the latter category, ensure you incorporate exercise into your daily routine, even if it’s as simple as a brisk walk around campus.

Consume a Well-Balanced Diet:

Eating healthy in college can be difficult when you rely on dining halls rather than home-cooked meals or when your budget limits your food options. One key to healthy eating is being aware that you may become hungry at seemingly inconvenient times due to irregular study hours and class schedules. Carry healthy snacks such as carrots, bananas, nuts, dried fruit, and kale chips with you. College can be particularly stressful for people suffering from an eating disorder. This is because eating restrictions, binge eating, and purging are frequently linked to control and self-esteem. When stressed about school, losing control and feeling bad about yourself is easy. Make an appointment with a nutritionist, mental health provider, or primary care doctor at your student health center immediately if you’ve been engaging in unhealthy patterns of behavior, whether new or old.

Make Time for Yourself:

In college, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself. But, no matter how busy you are, you must learn to schedule time for yourself to do the things you enjoy or that relax you. Some people enjoy getting massages, going to the movies, or participating in a hobby. Others may prefer to practice yoga or mindfulness. Anxiety or stress students can benefit greatly from focusing on the here and now. To hone your mindfulness skills, consider using a meditation app. As you settle into your house, for example, your student accomodation in sydney or student accommodation in Belfast, you can make a meditation corner for yourself where you sit and practice calming your mind and rejuvenating it!

Recognize the Dangers of Substance Abuse:

College students are frequently pushed to experiment with drugs and alcohol. This is especially true given the normalization of binge drinking on college campuses, changing attitudes toward marijuana use in society, and the prevalence of vaping. Students must understand the health risks associated with drug abuse. Ultimately, you should make informed decisions rather than socially determined ones. For example, while students may believe marijuana is safe, the drug poses numerous risks, particularly mental health. You should pay close attention to your actions, including how frequently you use drugs and consume alcohol. It’s also a good idea to socialize outside parties and look for non-drug and alcohol-related ways to hang out with friends.