Essential Mental Health Tips to Help You Navigate School
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Struggling with mental health can make it hard to succeed in school. You need to know how to prioritize your mental health, so you can find success in your studies. Here are some essential tips to help you navigate school while prioritizing your mental health.
Quick facts: Mental Health Tips For School
- ✅ Nearly 1 in 5 (18.7%) youths aged 12-17 had a diagnosable mental health disorder in the past year (National Institute of Mental Health, 2020).
- ✅ More than 1 in 5 (20.7%) youths aged 12-17 had a severe mental health disorder in the past year (National Institute of Mental Health, 2020).
- ✅ Over half (50.6%) of the youths aged 12-17 had a mental health disorder in the past year that affected their ability to function in a major life activity (National Institute of Mental Health, 2020).
- ✅ Bullying is a major contributor to mental health issues in schools, with 28% of young people aged 11-16 reporting being bullied in the last 12 months (YoungMinds, 2021).
- ✅ Mental health issues can affect academic performance, with 45% of young people aged 11-16 reporting that their mental health has interfered with school work in the last year (YoungMinds, 2021).
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10 Mental Health Tips for Online Students
For online students, mental health can be of particular concern due to the fact that they may be isolated from the in-person community and support of a traditional campus. To help online students navigate and maintain their mental health, there are 10 essential tips:
- Make time for yourself; dedicate 15 minutes each day to do something you enjoy or relax.
- Stay in touch with friends and family; find ways like virtual hangouts to stay connected with others.
- Practice healthy eating habits; include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet.
- Exercise regularly; even a short walk around your neighborhood can make a big difference in overall wellness.
- Get enough sleep; create a consistent sleep schedule and decrease screen time before bedtime.
- Participate in activities you enjoy; find time to do hobbies like drawing, painting, or playing an instrument on the weekends as stress relief from schoolwork/studying during the weekdays.
- Set limits on your work: prioritize tasks efficiently so that you can complete all of them without feeling overwhelmed.
- Prioritize self-care: take breaks, listen to music, take deep breaths, meditate or practice yoga when feeling stressed.
- Seek out counseling if necessary: know when it’s time to reach out for help if needed.
- Reach out for support: talk with someone who is understanding if you need help or just want someone to talk too.
By implementing these 10 tips into daily life routines online students will be able to better manage their mental health while navigating school successfully!
Value yourself
Valuing yourself and your worth is essential in order to maintain good mental health. You can start by accepting your imperfections, recognizing your strengths, and affirming that you have something unique to offer. When you internalize these positive affirmations, it will lead to better self-esteem, increased confidence and a greater sense of purpose in life.
A key step towards valuing yourself is understanding the importance of not comparing yourself to others. Everyone has their own individual struggles and battles to fight, so do not measure success by the accomplishments of other people. Keep in mind that growth and development come from within, so focus on becoming the best version of yourself each day and celebrate your unique gifts!
Take care of your body
Spring is a time for new beginnings, which can unfortunately come with a lot of stress. Taking care of your body is essential to ensuring that your mental health remains strong and balanced during this transition. This can include:
- Getting enough sleep each night
- Exercising regularly
- Eating a balanced diet
- Getting plenty of fresh air and sunshine
Additionally, it’s important to take breaks from studying or from work when needed and to make time for relaxation activities such as yoga, meditation or simply spending time with loved ones. Creating a routine helps keep order and calm when life gets hectic. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it—your friends and family are there for support!
Surround yourself with good people
Surrounding yourself with good people can have a major positive impact on your mental health. Making friends with people who lift you up, encourage you, and make you feel supported can build your confidence and resilience to face any challenge that life throws your way.
Seek out positive relationships with family members, friends, teachers, or mentors outside of school where you feel accepted and loved. These connections can help give you the strength and support to think positively about yourself and the future.
Find people who truly understand what you’re going through or those who have similar interests as yours – that way, it’ll be easier to get along with them. Remember, never settle for less than someone who makes you happy and encourages you in all aspects of life!
Give yourself
Giving yourself quality time away from technology is an important part of maintaining a healthy mental health. Humans are constantly plugged into technology, whether it is through their phones, laptops, or tablets. Although technology can make our lives more convenient, it can also lead to a lack of socialization and increased stress.
Making an effort to disconnect from technology each day can help clear up your mind and give you a chance to focus on yourself. Spend some time of the day doing something you enjoy without tech involved like reading books or taking nature walks. By setting boundaries for yourself when it comes to using technology, you can stay present in the moment and establish healthier habits for your mental health.
Learn how to deal with stress
Stress is an inevitable part of life, especially as a student. Stress is the body’s response to any kind of pressure, and can be both physical and mental. It can cause a wide range of reactions from feeling overwhelmed to feeling anxious and depressed.
It’s important to recognize the signs that you are feeling stressed in order to take steps to cope with it. Common signs of stress include difficulty sleeping, fatigue, irritability, feelings of worthlessness or helplessness, low motivation, headaches or muscle tension, decreased appetite or overeating.
Once you recognize these signs in yourself it’s important to take steps to manage the stress by finding ways to cope and relax. Taking breaks throughout your day and engaging in activities that reduce stress can help you stay healthy and motivated during school days. Learning breathing exercises or practicing yoga/mindfulness can also be effective ways to reduce stress levels and boost your mental health.
Quiet your mind
Quieting your mind is an important step in mental health, especially when it comes to depression. Our thoughts can often be our enemy, as our minds become cluttered with worry and stress. When we’re stuck in this cycle of negative thinking, it can be debilitating and difficult to break free from.
The key is to recognize when your mind has become overwhelmed and take time to engage in activities that help you relax and reset your mind. This could be a simple mindfulness practice such as focusing on your breath or an activity like journaling or walking in nature. Learning how to “check-in” with yourself regularly, by using external markers of mental health like a daily gratitude list or spending time outdoors, can be beneficial for managing depression.
Set realistic goals
Setting realistic goals for yourself is essential for maintaining good mental health during school. When setting these goals, it is important to make sure they are achievable and manageable. You should consider how much time you have available, what other commitments take priority, and how difficult each goal will be.
It’s also important to realize that achieving your goals may take longer than expected and that this is okay. If you find yourself starting to become overwhelmed with the amount of work or tasks you’ve set, step back and reassess the situation. Break down big projects into smaller chunks to make them more achievable and remember not to be too hard on yourself when things don’t go as planned.
Allowing yourself breaks throughout the day can also help prevent fatigue from setting in, which can lead to overwhelm or burnout as well:
- Take regular breaks throughout the day.
- Break down big projects into smaller chunks.
- Don’t be too hard on yourself when things don’t go as planned.
Break up the monotony
Breaking up the monotony is an important part of mental health. During the school year, it can be challenging to stay motivated when most classes and activities are online or remote. To make sure you’re not falling into a pattern of boredom and burnout, it’s essential to have changes in your daily routine.
Incorporating something new each day can make all the difference in your mental wellness journey. Whether it’s taking a break to do a 10-minute meditation session, creating something crafty with art supplies on hand, or even playing a game with friends—any activity that helps you step away from everyday tasks can help lift your spirits and provide more balance in your life. With school bringing its own unique challenges right now, finding moments to engage in activities that bring joy is crucial for maintaining positive mental health practices.
Avoid alcohol and other drugs
Using drugs and alcohol can seem like an easy way to escape from the stressors of school. However, these substances can be damaging both physically and mentally. Alcohol is a depressant and can lead to physical dependence, increased anxiety and depression, as well as decreased inhibitions which could result in poor decisions when under the influence.
Other drugs such as marijuana may seem less dangerous, however they too can negatively affect your mental health in the long run if regularly used. So it is important to avoid all drugs and alcohol while in school so that one can focus on their studies without any distractions or negative impacts on their mental wellbeing.
Get help when you need it
It’s never too late or too early to seek help if you’re struggling with mental health issues or feeling overwhelmed by school. It’s important to recognize when it is time to ask for help and understand that this is a sign of strength, not weakness.
There are a number of resources available including free online services and hotlines dedicated solely to mental health. These services can provide financial assistance, counseling and support for those struggling with depression, anxiety, self-esteem and other issues. Even if you aren’t experiencing an immediate crisis, these services are beneficial for ongoing mental health management and will enable you to better manage stress and balance your overall wellbeing while navigating the demands of school.
Six Mental Health Tips for College Students
Mental health can be an especially important issue for college students, as the transition from high school to college life can be difficult and stressful. College students may feel overwhelmed by the academic demands, social interactions, and general lifestyle changes associated with college. To help navigate such a time of transition in life, it’s important to remain aware of one’s mental health needs.
Here are six essential mental health tips for college students:
- Take care of your physical health – Get enough sleep and make sure to eat nutritious meals throughout the day.
- Set limits and practice self-care – Make sure you take breaks when necessary and try not to overextend yourself.
- Get organized – Break down big tasks into smaller, manageable pieces, use a planner or calendar to keep track of assignments and due dates.
- Reach out for help – If you’re feeling overwhelmed with academic demands or personal struggles, don’t hesitate to reach out for help from a professor or counseling center on campus.
- Don’t procrastinate – Try to stay on top of your tasks and study often so you don’t feel like you have too much work all at once leading up to exams or due dates.
- Find balance in activities – Explore new things on campus but also make time for yourself to just relax or listen to music or do what helps your mental well-being!
Value yourself
Valuing yourself is key to managing your mental health in relation to social media use. It’s important to remember that your online presence should be an extension of who you are, not your entire identity. Social media can be a great way to express yourself, make connections and build relationships, but it’s also important to remember that you don’t have to take part in every conversation or give too much of your time and energy into it.
Valuing yourself means taking the time for self-care—ensuring you get enough sleep, eat healthy meals and engage in activities that bring you joy. Taking a break from social media or limiting the amount of time spent on it can help alleviate stress, give you a chance to recharge and focus on things that bring meaning into your life.
Take care of your body
It’s essential to prioritize your mental health during the holiday season, as it can be a stressful and overwhelming time. Taking care of your body is one of the most important ways to reduce stress and anxiety levels. That means getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and exercising regularly are all essential steps in taking care of your mental health. Also, give yourself permission to take a break as needed. Don’t overextend yourself with too many obligations or activities – make sure to take some time out for yourself so that you don’t become overwhelmed.
Additionally, it’s important to stay connected with those who are important in your life during this time of year. Whether it’s family members or friends, make sure you reach out and connect even if you can only do so virtually. Keeping these connections alive is an excellent way to reduce stress levels and help maintain good mental health.
Surround yourself with good people
Surrounding yourself with good people is an essential part of managing your mental health during the holidays. Make sure to spend time with friends and family who care about you and lift you up. Talk with them about how you’re feeling, what’s going on in your life, and how they can help support you during this time of year. Try to stay away from people who drain your energy or bring up negative feelings and thoughts.
When it comes to school situations, it helps to remind yourself that everyone has their own unique story and is doing the best they can with the resources available to them. Remind yourself not to compare yourself too harshly to others—focus instead on what makes you unique and special during this time of year.
Give yourself
The first step to improving your mental health is to give yourself permission to take care of your own needs. This can be hard when you’re already feeling overwhelmed, but it’s essential for maintaining healthy mental habits. Make sure you get enough sleep, eat nutritiously, stay active and practice stress-management techniques like deep breathing or meditation. Having a solid self-care routine in place can help you manage stress and cope with tough emotions.
At times it may also be beneficial to find outside help. You don’t have to go through this alone – reach out to a family member, friend, guidance counselor or even a mental health professional if needed. Finally, remind yourself that it’s ok not to be perfect and extend yourself some grace as you navigate the ups and downs of life.
Learn how to deal with stress
Learning how to deal with stress is an essential part of maintaining mental health. Learning to say no and setting boundaries are essential skills take care of yourself during stressful times. It’s ok and important to put your own needs first and prioritize self care, even if it means saying no to others. Setting limits takes practice but has lots of benefits such as improved communication, better sleep and increased productivity.
When overwhelmed or stressed out, try simple methods such as deep breathing, yoga or meditation to relax your mind & body. Reach out for help if needed; talking to a friend or family member can help take the pressure off alone. Remember that you are the most important person in your life, so treat yourself accordingly!
Quiet your mind
Learning to quiet your mind can be an incredibly powerful skill for college students. It may sound difficult, but it can be an incredibly calming practice. Quieting the mind involves using techniques to slow down thinking and create space between thoughts. It gives you the opportunity to suppress anxious or persistent thoughts and focus instead on staying present in the moment.
In this state of mental stillness, you can find joy in simple experiences and tune into your surroundings more easily. Quieting your mind also makes it easier to focus on other tasks, like studying or writing papers. Additionally, quieting your mind can help reduce stress levels, allowing greater mental clarity and physical relaxation.
Techniques used to achieve this state of stillness include:
- Yoga
- Breathwork
- Meditation
- Body awareness exercises
- Mindfulness practices
- Journaling
FAQs about: mental health tips for school
Q1: What are some tips for improving mental health for school students?
A1: Some tips for improving mental health for school students include: Prioritizing sleep, engaging in regular physical activity, eating healthy and balanced meals, taking study breaks and engaging in enjoyable activities, scheduling time for self-care, and reaching out to supportive friends and family members.
Q2: How can I help a friend who is struggling with mental health issues?
A2: You can help a friend who is struggling with mental health issues by providing a safe space to talk and listen without judgement, offering resources and support, and being understanding and patient with them. It is also important to encourage them to seek professional help if needed.
Q3: What should I do if I am experiencing mental health issues as a school student?
A3: If you are experiencing mental health issues as a school student, it is important to reach out for help. Consider talking to a trusted adult, a mental health professional or a school counselor. Additionally, engaging in activities that help you to relax, connecting with supportive friends and family members, and practicing self-care can all be beneficial.
