Being a student is great for two reasons. The first is student discount days at Bulk Barn and Loblaws. The second is the opportunity to get a fresh start in September. Now is the perfect time to reevaluate your habits and start making changes for personal health and happiness. And if you’ve been (relatively) less stressed out during the summer, it’s best to arm yourself with tools for good mental health before the onslaught of assignments makes your brain explode.
I preface this list by apologizing for sounding like your mom, but this stuff really is good for you. As obvious as most of these tips are, they are not as obvious when you’re neck deep in assignments and exams and surviving off caffeine.
- Spend time with friends.
Don’t feel like a bother if you suggest spending time together—chances are your friends feel similarly and need social interaction. Just a quick coffee trip before class or a 10-minute FaceTime conversation can help.
- Dedicate time for yourself each week and schedule it in.
If you don’t set a time, it can be too easy to let school, work, and other commitments take over. Scheduling it in also makes your me-time feel more fulfilling than me-time spent aimlessly surfing Netflix while distracted from schoolwork. I take weekly yoga classes and schedule days for watching specific episodes of TV shows.
- Eat a damn good breakfast.
You might be tempted to sleep in as late as possible before grabbing a granola bar while rushing out the door. But setting aside extra time for a proper meal will wake you up, plus give you a fuller stomach and a clearer head. Even a bowl of cereal with yogurt on the side will leave you feeling ultra-glamorous if you’re not in a rush to your 8:30 a.m. class.
- Speaking of eating, eat regularly.
Or at least try to. Flip-flopping between dinners at 6 p.m. and midnight can make your body feel unbalanced, leading to sluggishness and poor mental health. Personally, I prefer to eat based on the time of day rather than my hunger level so I don’t get too caught up in readings and skip a meal or three. And I know that you know that you should eat right, so I won’t mention in this list that you should eat right.
- Just like with eating, you should keep your sleeping pattern consistent.
Wishful thinking, sure, but maintaining a semi-regular pattern can still do wonders on your energy levels and mental health. To help me fall asleep during midterms and finals, I lightly spray my sheets with a lavender and chamomile concoction. Find what helps you fall asleep peacefully and use it when school stress starts keeping you up at night.
- Make your book bag your trusted sidekick.
If you’re spending hours and hours away from your place, make sure you’re thinking about that when packing for the day. Snacks and a water bottle will always come in handy.
- Exercise can suck, but doesn’t have to.
If you’re as unathletic as me, the idea of spending your precious free time at the gym pumping iron or panting for breath along the Canal can be horrific. I’m convinced that since exercise releases feel-good endorphins, there must be a type of exercise out there for every single person. Mine is walking to class so fast my calves feel inflamed by the end. If you live close enough to commute by foot or by bike, I highly recommend incorporating your daily physical activity into your trek to and from campus.
- Dress for success.
I don’t mean that you should wear a blazer like preppy students did in the ‘80s (according to teen movies, but more power to you if you want to). What I mean is that you should dress in whatever way makes you feel good. Even wearing your favourite T-shirt can add some cheer to your day. Wearing clothes that you feel attractive in—whether they’re sweatpants or a skirt—can give you an added confidence boost. Never underestimate the power of well-shaped eyeliner.
If none of these tips help, or you find yourself obsessed with maintaining your mental health, you should speak to a doctor. Mental health is a topic that you need to work on in order to stay healthy, but if it’s consuming your thoughts with little success, you might need extra help, and a professional assessment is a great place to start.
