First, put importance on yourself; be gentle and respectful to yourself, and stop being so hard on yourself. Give yourself time to pursue interests and passions or learn something new. Try your hand at a crossword puzzle every day, start a garden, learn to dance, pick up an instrument, or study a foreign language.
Second, prioritize self-care by attending to your bodily needs; doing so has been shown to boost emotional well-being. Remember to:
Eat healthy foods
Stop using tobacco products, including e-cigarettes; for help, visit Smoking Help
Drink plenty of water
Regular exercise can enhance your mood and lessen symptoms of despair and anxiety.
It\’s important to get adequate shut-eye. The high prevalence of depression among college students has been linked by researchers with a lack of sleep.
As a third piece of advice, put positive influences around you.
Strong social and family ties have been shown to improve health outcomes compared to isolation. Get together with a group of individuals who will be there for you, whether that\’s close friends and family or strangers you meet at a club, class, or support group.
Lastly, consider helping others as a way to give back to the world and to yourself. Helping others is a terrific way to socialize and will make you feel good about yourself. Check out Free and Low-Cost Ann Arbor Attractions for some suggestions.
No matter how much you dislike it, stress is always going to be a component of your life. Practice healthy coping skills: Try One-Minute Stress Strategies, practise Tai Chi, exercise, take a nature walk, play with your pet or try journal writing as a stress reliever. Keep a positive outlook and a sense of humor. Research reveals that laughter can enhance your immune system, ease pain, relax your body and reduce stress.
Settle your thoughts through meditation, Mindfulness, and/or prayer. Both your mood and attitude on life can benefit from some deep breathing and prayer time. In fact, research shows that meditation may help you feel peaceful and boost the results of therapy. See the section on Spiritual Health in the Student Guide to Resources for More Information.
Decide what it is you want out of life on all fronts (academic, professional, personal), then map out the measures you\’ll need to take to get there. Aim high, but be realistic and don\’t over-schedule. You\’ll have a fantastic sense of satisfaction and self-worth as you work toward your objective. Wellness coaching is available in most hospitals. This can help you set and achieve your wellness goals.
Despite the fact that routines boost our productivity and sense of safety, it\’s always nice to switch things up every once in a while. Change up your routine by going for a run in a new area, scheduling a road trip, going for a stroll in a new park, hanging up new artwork, or dining at a different establishment.
Keep your alcohol consumption to a minimum, and stay clear of drugs. People \”self-medicate\” with alcohol and other drugs all the time, but this is a bad idea because they just make things worse.
Ask for assistance when you need it; doing so demonstrates strength, not weakness. And keep in mind that treatment works. The ability to overcome mental illness and addiction and live a long and satisfying life is not limited to those who receive treatment.
