Getting enough sleep, eating well, and minimizing screen time, are good practices for our mental health. Below are some additional tips to help promote good mental health practices:
Spend time doing something you enjoy.
This activity can be on your own or with a group of people. It’s a moment for you to engage with healthy hobbies that make you happy.
Take breaks
Take time out for yourself. Being busy can be good but being stressed all the time is not. Give yourself permission to rest and relax. Doing “nothing” is actually doing something. It’s helping you build your strength for the next challenge.
Help others
When you take time to be kind to others, or get involved in something bigger than yourself, it can give your own mental health a boost. Small things that don’t take a lot of your own energy can sometimes make a huge difference to someone else. Say “hi” to someone new in the halls, invite someone to sit with you at lunch, hold the door open for someone, and see if it gives you a lift too.
Notice the good things
It’s easy to get caught up in the negatives that happen in life. Instead, look for the positives each day, even in situations that might seem bad. Be grateful for the small things.
Get sleep
We know school starts early and you may like staying up late, so you might not get enough sleep all the time. But aim to get 8 or more hours of sleep most nights. Here are some tips on how to improve your sleep.
Try to increase your water intake
Carry a water bottle with you so you can stay hydrated through the day. Consider decreasing or discontinuing your caffeine intake – caffeine has been shown to create a stress reaction in your body and might cause you to feel nervous, irritable or restless.
Fuel yourself well
As a student, you are under a lot of stress at times, be mindful of the types of foods you eat. Sometimes it helps to have a healthy snack nearby so you can refuel easily and avoid getting “hangry”.
Try to limit screen time
Research has linked social media use with mental health issues – you’ve probably heard this before. Using social media can cause us to compare ourselves… we do this without noticing, so it can be hard to stop. Many smartphones let you set timers on apps to help you limit how much you use them. Here’s some more info about how social media impacts our wellness.
Prioritize your healthy relationships
Find people in your life who help you to feel good. Notice how you feel after spending time with someone. Sometimes it’s helpful to create boundaries for ourselves and limit contact with people who bring us down or encourage unhealthy behavior.
Move! Physical activity is good for our mental health.
It can be as simple as taking a walk. Even better, join an activity at school – it’s a great way to meet people who you can be active with.
Try some mindfulness activities.