How to look after your mental health at university
How to look after your mental health at university
Sometimes we have too much on our plates and juggling our everyday lives becomes too difficult. Not to mention anxiety and stress, caused by our commitments and for most, feeling lonely when away from home for the first time. University affects all aspects of your life. Mental health can influence your concentration, sleep, durability, motivation, energy levels and most of all your overall performance.
But do not forget that everyone has bad days and its okay to have them. You are not alone, and your feelings are valid. The bad days shall pass so be kind and patient with yourself.
Tips
Talk
Talk to your family members, friends, mentors and lecturers, or the advice centre here at BNU. If you feel lonely or low, getting in touch may seem difficult but getting things off your chest or simply focusing on something else helps. Do not be afraid to call them to catch up or plan a meeting, I am sure they will be happy that you did.
Take a break, or a nap
To avoid burning out, we all need to relax and switch off sometimes. Getting some good night sleep massively changes everything so try to work out a good sleep schedule, reduce scrolling through your phone before you go to sleep or after you wake up and read a book instead. Do not forget to set a regular sleep and wake time too as the routine can help.
Having a welcoming and safe space can also boost your mood. Coming back home from university or work to a warm, cosy room will help you deal with stresses of the day and relax. Especially if you live in halls of residence, take your time to decorate, get some blankets or anything that makes you feel calm.
Enjoy a healthy meal and get some fresh air
A healthy balanced diet can significantly boost your wellbeing, but don’t forget to treat yourself! Drinking lots of water is also very important to avoid headaches and fatigue. Hit the reset button by getting some fresh air - take a walk, visit a museum or explore the local area.
Don’t take too much on, know your limits
Try to create a balanced schedule. It is very easy to work too hard as a university student. We have so many commitments and assignments that achieving them seems impossible sometimes but creating smaller short-term goals will make your big goals easier to achieve. It highlights what steps you need to take to achieve your goal in time. It also allows you to celebrate every goal, no matter how small.
Find outlets, take some “me” time
Find things you genuinely enjoy doing and take some “me” time. Something that helps your mind relax. It could be art, journaling, knitting, baking something tasty, listening to music that makes you happy, reading a book or watching your favourite tv show. It is different for everyone, just do what feels right for you!
Let us help
If you’re unsure of how you feel, we are here to help. There is no shame in reaching out. BNU is here for you and offers lots of ways to make your time at university easier.
