College can be some of the most rewarding and the most stressful times of your life. Navigating a new environment, living independently and creating a new social circle can be difficult for any student. However, these challenges can be especially difficult for anyone who already experiences struggle with their own mental health.
Additionally, returning or transferring students are also likely to experience moments of stress and struggle in college. Below are some tips that have helped me during my four years as a University of Connecticut student on the Storrs campus. Hopefully you will find them helpful as well!
Make Time for Social Activities
Juggling classes, assignments, exams or any of the other stressors that college puts on your plate, can be difficult. It is not uncommon to feel depressed, stressed or anxious during the school year. However, carving out time in your calendar for a healthy and active social life can help reduce stress. I try to aim for at least one social activity a week, but I will usually try to schedule more if my calendar allows for it. Grab a friend and go get some food at the many spots around campus or hike up to Horsebarn Hill to watch the sunset!
Get Plenty of Vitamin D
Getting enough vitamins in your diet can be extremely important for your well-being. During the fall and winter months, making sure you get enough Vitamin D in particular can have a positive impact on your mental health. A study done by the National Insitute of Health showed that patients who took the vitamin for seven days in a row experienced fewer symptoms of depression and more feelings of happiness. It can also help prevent occurrences of seasonal affective disorder that may be experienced during months when there are less sunshine and shorter days. Be sure to get outside while it’s still nice and consider taking vitamin D supplements in the colder months.
Keep up with Nutrition
Making sure you are getting enough food throughout your day is not only important for your physical health, but can be incredibly beneficial for mental health, as well as overall brain health. Aim for about three meals a day, and make sure you are eating a variety of nutritious foods as well. Be sure to get enough protein in your diet, as protein will help you feel satisfied throughout the day. A good rule of thumb would be to try and eat protein with every meal. Eating enough nutritionally dense foods will help you focus better on your classes and assignments, allowing you to put your best foot forward in school.
Limit Drinking and Substance Use
Putting limitations on the substances you use, as well as the frequency of which you use them can also help navigate your wellness during college. Avoiding substance use during the week is usually recommended. If you are going to use substances, try waiting until the weekend, and aim for about one drink per hour. If you are unable to moderate your substance use or want to change your relationship with substances, there are resources available on campus to help you. Visit the UConn Recovery Community at the Cordial Storrs house during weekdays to speak with a staff member or visit the SHAW website for more information.
Hopefully, with these tips, you can navigate taking care of yourself during college. Self-care can be tricky to navigate, but the most important thing you can do is to treat yourself with kindness and understanding. There are basic things you can do to help uplift your wellness. Getting enough food throughout the day, as well as limiting substance use can be useful. Taking Vitamin D can be beneficial to your mental health and can also promote feelings of happiness in many individuals. Finally, be sure to make time for joy and social activities in your schedule. College is all about balance, and part of that delicate balance is making time for fun in your life, no matter how busy you are! Good luck Huskies! You got this!