In our society today, there is an ever-increasing risk of suicide, especially among young adults and teens in college. It is a fact that most college students are depressed or have some mental distress. For most, it is a result of the environment they find themselves in; for others, it might result from habit.

Whatever the reason, there are ways in which you can further modify or improve your mental health for better living.

In this article, I will highlight 30 tips to help improve and protect your mental health as a college student. Do try to make as many as you can habits. You can also modify them to fit your specific needs or preferences.

Not to waste your time any further, here is a list of things you can do to improve your mental health as a student.

What is mental health? 

Mental health, as described by World Health Organization (WHO), is a state of well-being in which the individual realizes their abilities, can cope with the everyday stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and can contribute to their community.

Mental health is a factor of subjective well-being, perceived self-efficacy, autonomy, competence, intergenerational dependence, and self-actualization of one’s intellectual and emotional potential.

According to a particular school of thought, mental health comprises an individual’s ability to enjoy life and balance life activities and efforts to achieve psychological resilience.

It is also important to note that confident lifestyle choices play significant roles in mental health, such as diet, exercise, stress, drug abuse, social connections, and interactions. 

What is a mental disorder? 

This can be defined as the impairment of an individual’s ability to feel, think, and act in ways that would achieve a better life keeping in mind the personal, social, and cultural.

Mental disorders are also associated with a health condition that alters cognitive functioning, emotional responses, and behavior associated with distress or impaired functioning. 

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30 mental health tips for college students 

As mentioned earlier, college student’s mental health is affected by many factors within and outside their immediate environment, which sometimes takes a toll on their minds.

However, I have taken the time to highlight 30 unique tips to help improve your mental health as a college student. 

1. Maintain a journal 

Journals help you keep in touch with yourself. You can pen down how you feel about an experience or day. It would help you unwind and come in contact with how experiences or things made you think and could also serve as a reminder to remind you of how specific experiences made you feel in the past. It can also be used to monitor growth and personal improvement. 

2. Be kind to yourself 

You must remember that you are just human, and as a human, you are bound to make mistakes. Always remember not to be too harsh on yourself. Be kind to yourself even when you feel you should be blamed for particular misfortunes. 

3. Reach out to family and friends 

Always try as much as possible to socialize with your family. Be in touch with your family; they usually know you more than you think and can cheer you up when you are at your lowest.

Also, stay in touch with those few good friends who would listen and be with you when you need them the most. 

4. Meditate 

As weird as it sounds, meditating helps clear your head and lets you focus your thoughts better.

So, on days you feel a bit overwhelmed by activities and can’t seem to focus on any particular task. Try meditating, clear your head, and you will be grateful you did. 

5. Indulge in hobbies 

Don’t ever underrate the place of hobbies in your life. Sometimes, you need to give yourself a break and engage with activities you enjoy that boost your self-esteem and make you feel good about yourself.

So, take that time off and do what makes you happy. 

6. Take a social media detox 

You might already know this, but I want to reinforce it. Social media is a very toxic space. Most times, you won’t be comfortable filtering what comes your way, but then you should take some time away from social media now and then and stay in the present.

Social media is filled with a lot of negativity and hurt, and consuming all of that every single time would be very detrimental to your mental health. 

7. Exercise regularly 

Exercise helps pump you full of adrenaline, sometimes known as the “feel-good” hormone.

It gets you euphoric and cheerful. Exercising also gives you specific control of your life and helps you set and surpass milestones over time. Exercise can
also, give you a sense of purpose which is very good for your mental health.

Exercise also makes sure you have a fantastic shape which makes you more
confident about yourself. 

8. Eat healthily 

The importance of good food can never be underrated. A good meal can go a long way. Stay away from the junk that pumps you full of toxins, makes you feel fat, and doesn’t satisfy your cravings and needs.

Junk and unhealthy food are detrimental not only to your physical health but your medical health too. 

9. Build a solid social support network 

Sometimes all you need is good support. It would be best to have those few people who will always be there for you when it gets tough and support you on your way up. Having a solid support network would do wonders for your mental health, especially if you have moments when you slip into depression.

Knowing that you have someone you can call that would listen and help you up when you are down would help improve your mental health. 

10. Get enough sleep 

As lazy as it may sound, you need to get enough sleep. Don’t miss quote me, though; I didn’t say too much sleep; I said “enough.” It would be best to sleep to get your entire body system well rested, your mind included.

So, forget all the quotes about men sleeping and poverty being related; try and get some sleep; your mental health is worth more than you can make. 

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11. Avoid substance abuse 

Substance abuse is rampant in most colleges, and with peer pressure, you might find yourself hooked on one. If you haven’t gone too far, I would advise, Iop as soon as possible.

Those split seconds of relief or pleasure you get from those substances are not worth the damage to your mental health. Stay away from substances and drugs. If you are already addicted to a substance, please seek help immediately. 

12. Disconnect from negativity 

Avoid a company that breeds negativity. Always try to exclude yourself from hostile environments that threaten your mental health. 

13. Volunteer when possible 

If you want to feel good about yourself, volunteering is one of the best ways to achieve that. Try volunteering from time to time. Being able to affect change in your environment or a group can help boost your self-esteem and mental health.

Volunteering would also make you appreciate the little things more. Be it a soup kitchen or just community service. Get out there and volunteer. 

14. Reward yourself 

You can never go wrong with a reward. For a good deed or a job well done, or a milestone achieved, you can treat yourself to something nice that you would like and enjoy.

This would improve your mental health and help you feel good about the little wins and the big ones. 

15. Be grateful 

There is a lot to be grateful for. Take a look around you and acknowledge the privileges you are currently enjoying. Please don’t take anything for granted cause tomorrow; you might not have it as it is today.

Be grateful when you wake in the morning for the food you are about to eat, for your loving parents and caring friends, for your job, and for your health. 

16. Start your day with a cup of coffee 

A cup of coffee always gives you the jump-start you need, especially during a lazy morning.

Stick to coffee only when necessary and don’t overdo it cause as much as coffee is advisable, it also has detrimental effects. 

17. Set up a getaway 

Sometimes, all your mental health needs is a vacation to relax away from your current environment.

Sometimes, the school can pose such a hostile environment that your mental health might be at risk. In this case, you should plan a trip or a vacation and experience new places.

Put your mind at ease with a weekend getaway, and you can continue your studies with the new week.  

18. Work on your strengths 

In every person, there are strengths and weaknesses. First, you must identify your strengths and weaknesses and then work on your muscles in whatever situation you find yourself in not to feel disadvantaged.

This would significantly improve your mental health by giving you a sense of accomplishment with each task you tackle. 

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19. Show some love to someone in your life 

Showing love affects you more than the person you love is directed towards. Allowing yourself to love would open your heart and mind to possibilities and significantly improve your mental health.

It would give you peace and allow you to be accessible around your loved ones. 

20. New activities don’t always mean more pleasure 

Don’t always over-engage yourself. A new sport or destination might not be your thing, and you should be alright. Learn to love yourself and what you do. If you find that which does it for you, stick with it.

Over-diversifying isn’t always best. 

21. Relax in a warm bath once a week 

You might never know how therapeutic a warm shower is until you try it. It warms you up inside and out and helps you detox. It calms you and also relaxes your muscles as well as eases tension.

You are having a relaxing warm bath once a week would do your mental health some good. 

22. Practice forgiveness 

Forgiving someone is never pretty easy, significantly when you have been wronged and hurt by said person, but not forgiving is like letting the person live rent-free in your head.

So, it’s about time you let go of that grudge and forgive. Free yourself from the hurt and hateful feelings and get your mind at peace. 

23. Do something with friends and family 

As fun as it sounds to be a loner, it is no fun. Try to hang out with friends and family. Make fun memories, take pictures, and feel at home with friends and family.

Be it trips, vacations, or just a nice dinner. Try to always surround yourself with people that love you. 

24. Try as much as possible to get at least 15 minutes of sunshine 

As you are not a vampire, a little sunshine would do you better than bad. Be it 15 minutes or more, try to step outside every day, feel the air outside and let the sun hit and warm you up. You would be amazed at how brighter you would think after this. 

25. Always try new things  

If an idea sounds good to you and you feel you might enjoy it, then why not try it? It might just be the thing you have been looking for.

Trying new things, as uncertain as it might feel, would expose you to great experiences and opportunities and help give your life that sense of adventure you have longed for.

Not to forget, it also improves your mood and does wonders for your mental health. 

26. Send a thank you note 

Showing appreciation in the form of “thank you” notes might sound a bit cliché and cheesy, but it’s a great idea.

It would help you express your gratitude better and show the person who the “thank you” note is directed just how much you appreciate them and their effort. 

27. Try smiling when you are feeling stressed 

There is nothing a good smile
or laugh can’t fix. Give it a try; when you feel tensed and stressed, try and
smile or laugh it off. It eases you and gets you filled with positive energy to
tackle whatever situation you have ahead. 

28. Always approach negative experiences with a positive mindset 

Remember, no matter how bad a situation is; it is not all that bad. Always approach all occasions, even negative ones, with a positive mindset. Think of them as life
lessons that you should learn from.

Always remember you are not the only one going through bad experiences, which are always bound to happen.

You should treat yourself as best you can, dust off your shoulders, and keep moving. 

Read: 30 Effective Tips For Success In Law School

29. Seek professional help 

When the feeling of dread becomes too overwhelming, it might be time for you to get help.

Depression is natural and can be so overwhelming that it takes away the joy
from even things you would typically enjoy.

When feeling left out and alone and like the world is against you, seek help from a professional and start your
journey back to a healthy mind. 

30. Avoid noise  

Stay away from noisy areas as much as possible. Noise causes disorientation and stress, which are very bad for your mental health. So, when possible, stay away from the noise. 

Frequently asked questions 

Conclusion 

Your mental health is essential to your student life and should be given the same way you give your body attention. Train and expose your mind. When in distress, try to relax.

Socialize and detoxify when necessary. If it gets too overwhelming, seek professional help. These tips will help you on your journey to a healthier mind. 

References 

• .mhanational.org/
• thehavenatcollege.com/
• petersons.com/
• amp.sanluisobispo.com/

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