With the back-to-school season in full swing, this is a great time to reflect on your mental health. College students are at greater risk for conditions such as stress, anxiety, and depression. In general, change can be stressful and college students experience so much of it.
From leaving the comforts of your parent’s home to being on your own and dealing with roommates for the first time, this transition can be intimidating and exhausting. Students don’t just have to focus on getting good grades; they have financial stressors, pressure to make new friends and build new relationships, all while having to move in & out as the school year begins and ends.
What Can Help?
Managing college stress can be challenging but here are a few things that can help.
- Be Sure to Get Exercise
This could include simply going for a brisk walk around campus. Getting exercise is a great way to improve your mood. Getting exercise outdoors can be additionally beneficial, especially during the winter months. Getting a little bit of sunshine can provide your body with helpful Vitamin D which has been shown to improve mood. We’ve all heard of the “Freshman 15,” eating poorly can increase stress and decrease our ability to manage stress. Eating more nutritious meals can improve your cognitive functioning and give you the energy needed to get through your busy schedule.
- Get Enough Rest
This may be easier said than done but working diligently to have a healthy sleep pattern can greatly improve your ability to handle stress and anxiety. Try going to sleep at about the same time every night by setting an alarm on your phone when it’s time to get ready for bed. Also cut off all electronics, including the TV, about 30 minutes before bedtime to allow your brain to prepare for sleep. Studies have shown that setting your thermostat to around 68 degrees F can also improve your sleep quality.
- Practice Time Management Skills
This could be as simple as utilizing tools on your phone such as your calendar or reminders to help you stay on track. Some students prefer to write out all due dates on a calendar to keep up. It may also help to do a time audit in which you write out everything you do in a day to see where you have more free time than you expected.
- Gain Support
Having a neutral person to talk to is a great way to work through some of the common problems caused by college stress. Many campuses offer free counseling, which is a fantastic resource. Unfortunately however, they are often inundated with students seeking help. This can mean long wait times to get into your first appointment and longer waits between sessions. A quicker way to gain support is to reach out to a local therapist for help.
Women’s Integrative Counseling is here to help. We offer virtual appointments that can work with your unique schedule, making it as convenient as possible for you to get the support you need.
Reach out today for a free 15-minute phone consultation to get started!