Mental Health Self Check in

Mental health is crucial to student success, learning how to improve mood and work with ailments is a difficulty for many, but it’s not impossible. Some ways to improve your mental health can be found in simple check ins.

GO OUTSIDE

Getting fresh air daily can in some cases be like a system reboot for some. Nonetheless getting fresh air and sunlight daily is great for you, it might not be instantaneous, but the routine will help in the future.

DRINK WATER

Dehydration can amplify depression and mental health hardships, drinking water daily may lessen the impact of episodes that can occur. Invest in a reusable water bottle that you like, small things like this can help remind you to hydrate without being hard on yourself.

EAT HEALTHY FOOD

Your mental health is very reliant on your physical health, eat food that fuels you. As sad as it is to say eating greasy food all the time is most likely going to make you feel unwell. Eat food that you and your body enjoy.

GET OUT OF BED

Lying in bed sometimes feels like all you can do when going through hardships, but it can be detrimental to your mental health. Getting out of your comfort zone is a great distraction and healing process.

GET HELP

Talking about your mental health is a great way to feel less weighed down by some hardships, reach out to some positive outlets to communicate your emotions too. I’d recommend calling Good2Talk at 1(866) 925-5454 or text "GOOD2TALKON" to 686868, to avoid going through friends. Communicating your emotions may be draining to friends and their advice may not always be the best for yourself personally.

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH HAPPINESS

Joy can create a brief escape from mental illness struggles, the ability to laugh and smile are tasks you can still do. Try to do something that triggers happiness like watch a movie that you used to laugh at, talk to funny friends or go out to a comedy club, try to start smiling.

SELF-CARE

Self-care days are very important to your well-being and mental health. Setting aside a day where you can take care of yourself and all the things you’ve been putting off is imperative to your mental health and physical health.

TREAT YOURSELF

Every now and then it is a great idea to gift yourself something that will harvest happiness, if there has been an item that you’ve been wanting for a while, take the plunge and purchase it. Going out in public will also do wonders for your health and healing.

SET REALISTIC GOALS

As a student it is easy to get overwhelmed with endless assignments and never-ending due dates, setting realistic goals for yourself is crucial. Setting manageable goals also helps to ensure you are less hard on yourself by not completing a miracle in a few hours.

VALUE YOURSELF

Most importantly it is very important to not lose your sense of value, you are still an incredible person with many amazing qualities. Don’t let your mental health weigh on your image of yourself, it’s not a bad life.