Mental Health Awareness Month has drifted away from us, but that does not mean you have to drift away from your mental health issues once the month ends!
Mental health should always be an important factor in your daily routine, and you should always find ways to prioritize it. With that being said, here are some great mental health coping mechanisms for you to incorporate into your routine.
Setting Schedules For Mental Health Checkups
As college students with assignments, work, and so many other things consuming our time, it can be hard to manage our time with mental health.
One way to manage your mental health would be to set schedules and alarms to hold yourself accountable. Make sure you are taking at least 10 minutes out of your day to acknowledge your mental health.
For instance, setting an alarm for 10 am every day to journal how you feel is a perfect way of coping with mental health issues. This is a great routine to have because your feelings will never blindside you, and you will be aware of moments when mental health breaks are needed.
Healthy routines can lower your chances of experiencing depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
Mental & Physical Activities For Mental Health Issues
It is no secret that mental health is tied to physical health. The more active a person is, they may have fewer mental health issues. Studies have proven that keeping your body physically healthy and active can decrease any negative mental effects you may be experiencing. These activities include:
- Exercising
- Meditating
- Yoga
- Journaling
Journaling is a great way to improve your mental health. It allows you to release thoughts and feelings that you may not have known were there and allows you to release those feelings without fear of judgment.
Using Your School Health Resources
Every college offers health resources, and we must take advantage of such resources. If your school offers a counselor or mental health program, take advantage of that.
Sometimes you may need to release feelings and won’t always have a listening ear around. Several universities take the time to include mental health events in the school schedule. Attending such events allows us to learn more about our mental health.
Next time your school offers such things, remember that it is essential to understand yourself to get through any issues you may be experiencing.
Creating Healthy Habits For Mental Health Issues
Your mental health can also be impacted by the habits you have created for yourself. Habits such as eating healthy, staying hydrated, and getting a healthy amount of sleep are all healthy habits to stay on top of to ensure you are healthy mentally.
Though it may be hard, try including healthy fruits in your diet, such as apples, pineapples, oranges, or mangos. Sleep is another healthy habit that could be affecting your mental health.
Staying up late at night can feel great at the moment; however, if you do not get proper sleep to prepare and recoup for the next day, you could be putting yourself at a huge disadvantage.
Remember to get rest so that the next day you will feel great, look great, and have an abundance of energy to persevere through the day.
Hanging Out With Friends & Socializing
Although it may not feel like it, having a great social life can help you cope with the mental health issues you may be experiencing; interacting with others boosts your energy and helps you clear your head and take your mind off any negative things.
Furthermore, though your friends may not be therapists, they could be great listeners. Sometimes all you need is a listening ear to get to the root of the problem you’re having.
Spending time with friends instead of isolating yourself could help you more than you know.
We hope that each set of advice helps you excel in your future and develop amazing mental health coping skills. Not only will these skills help you when navigating college, but they will also help you throughout your future career and life.