Importance Of Mental Health For College Students
This necessitates paying close attention to the emotional conditions of students, and discovering outlets and techniques to cope with undesired or overwhelming emotions. Whether a student is attending an online college or visiting campus, mental health is a vital part of his/her educational experience. Let’s embark upon why mental health is important and how a student could take care of it.
What is mental health?
Emotions and how you approach life problems are referred to as mental health. One can approach issues, reduce stress, and conquer hurdles if you have healthy mental health. Mental health will have an impact on how one socializes and feels motivated.
Genetics, family history, experiences, the environment, and other factors influence one’s mental health. Regardless of our present mental health situation, there are various things that we can ourselves do to enhance mental health.
Most common mental health concerns
Over 75 per cent of mental health disorders begin before the age of 24, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Given the likelihood of this happening during college, knowing what to look for is essential. The following are some examples of common mental health issues:
Depressing thoughts: Uncontrollable emotions, exhaustion, thoughts of death or suicide, and an underlying sense of hopelessness or sadness are all classic signs of depression.
Suicidal ideas: Suicidal ideas do not come with symptoms. If you're stuck or unable to continue, get assistance. Reach out to someone you know who needs assistance
Anxiety: Anxiety is an all-too-common emotion, but it may spiral out of control as pressure and stress rise. Sweating, an irregular heartbeat, headaches, difficulty concentrating, feelings of stress, upset stomach, shortness of breath, or impatience are some of the symptoms of anxiety.
Reasons to put mental health first in college
Making one’s own mental health a priority while in college is a wonderful idea. Not only will this lay the groundwork for the rest of life, but the experiences a student will have in college are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. So, try the most of it while being prepared to deal with whatever life throws at you.
Additionally, a good college gives access to a mental health support network, which every student should check on. There are volunteers and counsellors who are ready to help, whether it's through student services, mental health counselling, or a network of mentors, parents, peers, or professors.
In college, your mental health will have an impact on:
How to maintain good mental health in college
Students should work to improve their personal health while in college, in addition to relying on support networks (or at any other point in your life). Here are some suggestions:
Management of time
Improving time management skills can help reduce stress, which can lead to anxiety. Time management is a discipline and a practice. There are several methods for improving time management. Setting attainable goals, establishing time restrictions for certain tasks, being organised, arranging the day in time blocks, planning ahead, and developing a prioritised to-do list are just a few examples. One must analyse one’s accomplishments at the end of each day, and prepare a schedule for the next day's activities.
Organising
Being organised has a great positive effect on mental health. Stress and sadness may be exacerbated by disorganisation. It can be exhausting to leave things undone or messy. One may experience less stress, better sleep, reduced despair, and sharper decision-making as a result of the greater organization.
Support network
When it comes to mental health, building a support network can be a game changer. One can reach out to classmates, colleagues, friends, neighbours, or even professors if one is feeling lonely. That way, if one needs to make a difficult decision or is having troubling thoughts, there is always someone to guide.
Volunteer
Volunteering and assisting others might boost endorphin levels, making one happier and less stressed. Even if there is much on one’s plate, setting aside some time to volunteer could be beneficial. There are also methods to volunteer without devoting a significant amount of time to the project. One could, for example, give to a food drive or raise funds for a charity.
Get some rest/sleep
Please note that the related hormones can become out of whack if one lacks proper sleep. Sleep cycles help regulate neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are important for preventing anxiety and sadness. In case of trouble falling or staying asleep, try using natural solutions such as establishing a night-time ritual, turning off devices, dimming the lights, taking a bath, or meditating.
Take action
Any sort of exercise is preferable to none! Take up any activity that you enjoy, such as swimming, walking, jogging, bicycling, pilates, and so on. Working exercise increases blood circulation, which can naturally improve one’s mood.
Take frequent pauses
Take breaks to recover, no matter how productive one is or how good one’s time management skills are. When studying, choose to take a break after completing certain tasks on the to-do list.
Meditate
Meditation is a guided technique for quieting the mind and reducing the number of thoughts in the head. Begin by meditating for one or five minutes every day and progressively increase the time. Meditation can help us feel better physically and emotionally.
Mental health is especially important for college students, but it is also important for people of all ages. While some aspects of our mental health could be beyond one’s control, the tactics listed above can surely help in enhancing one’s overall well-being.
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