- Value yourself:
Treat yourself with kindness and re-
spect, and avoid self-criticism. Make
time for your hobbies and favorite
projects, or broaden your horizons.
Do a daily crossword puzzle, plant a
garden, take dance lessons, learn to
play an instrument or become fluent
in another language.
- Take care of your body:
Taking care of yourself physically
can improve your mental health. Be
sure to:
• Eat nutritious meals
• Avoid cigarettes
• Drink plenty of water
• Exercise, which helps
decrease depression and anxiety and
improve moods
• Get enough sleep. Research-
ers believe that lack of sleep contrib-
utes to a high rate of depression in
college students.
- Surround yourself with good
people:
People with strong family or social
connections are generally health-
ier than those who lack a support
network. Make plans with supportive
family members and friends, or seek
out activities where you can meet
new people, such as a club, class or
support group.
- Give yourself:
Volunteer your time and energy to
help someone else. You’ll feel good
about doing something tangible to
help someone in need — and it’s a
great way to meet new people.
- Learn how to deal with
stress:
Like it or not, stress is a part of
life. Practice good coping skills: Try
One-Minute Stress Strategies, do Tai
Chi, exercise, take a nature walk, play
with your pet or try journal writing
as a stress reducer. Also, remember to
smile and see the humor in life. Re-
search shows that laughter can boost
your immune system, ease pain, relax
your body and reduce stress.
- Quiet your mind:
Try meditating, Mindfulness and/
or prayer. Relaxation exercises and
prayer can improve your state of
mind and outlook on life. In fact,
research shows that meditation may
help you feel calm and enhance the
effects of therapy. To get connected,
see spiritual resources on Personal
Well-being for Students - Set realistic goals:
Decide what you want to achieve
academically, professionally and per-
sonally, and write down the steps you
need to realize your goals. Aim high,
but be realistic and don’t over-sched-
ule. You’ll enjoy a tremendous sense
of accomplishment and self-worth as
you progress toward your goal.
- Break up the monotony:
Although our routines make us
more efficient and enhance our
feelings of security and safety, a little
change of pace can perk up a tedious
schedule. Alter your jogging route,
plan a road-trip, take a walk in a dif-
ferent park, hang some new pictures
or try a new restaurant.
- Avoid alcohol and other
drugs:
Keep alcohol use to a minimum
and avoid other drugs. Sometimes
people use alcohol and other drugs to
“self-medicate” but in reality, alcohol
and other drugs only aggravate
problems. - Get help when you need it:
Seeking help is a sign of strength
— not a weakness. And it is impor-
tant to remember that treatment is
effective. People who get appropriate
care can recover from mental illness
and addiction and lead full, reward-
ing lives.
Adapted from the National Mental
Health Association/National Council
for Community Behavioral Health-
care
