Prepping, Planning, and Prioritizing Mental Health: Finals Week Edition

Tips for Self Care and Success

During Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s an important reminder to prioritize taking care of ourselves and our mental wellbeing. This is especially true for college students as they navigate significant change and often feel overwhelmed by numerous academic and social pressures. But taking care of our mental wellbeing doesn’t have to be complicated. With the help of our mental health nonprofit partner, Hi, How Are You Project, we are sharing five out of the ten “Happy Habits,” to prioritize as we transition into finals week and move-out to help elevate your mood, improve energy, and focus on optimizing your mental wellbeing.

1. Get Good Rest: Don’t underestimate the power of a good night’s rest! Sleep deprivation can negatively affect your mood, memory, and focus. In addition to aiming for 7-8 hours of sleep nightly, having a consistent bedtime will improve sleep quality and make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.

2. Get Moving: Exercise can be so much more than going to a gym and counting reps. Try finding a way to move that you genuinely enjoy - this could be a dance class, yoga, kickboxing, intramural sports, or even going for a walk in a scenic location. Moving your body can help you connect with your senses and feel more grounded.

3. Practice Mindfulness: Slowing down and taking regular breaks can help you reconnect with yourself and the world around you. Try spending time in nature, practicing a hobby, reading a book, or trying a new recipe in between studying for your next exam or packing up the last of your items for move-out.

4. Be Grateful: Whether it’s creating a happiness jar with small notes or journaling reminders of happy moments, take a few moments throughout the day to reflect on what you are grateful to help boost your mood.

5. Make Time to Connect: Taking a study break by calling a friend, grabbing your favorite snack with your classmate, or watching a movie with your roomie, it’s important to prioritize social connections. By making an effort to connect with others, you can build meaningful relationships, feel more supported, and cultivate a sense of belonging in your community.

The Hi, How Are You Project encourages everyone to take the pledge to check in on a neighbor, friend, co-worker, family member or loved one and ask, “Hi, How Are You?” to help break the stigma surrounding mental health. Visit https://www.hihowareyou.org/happy-habits to learn more about additional happy habits and how they can be worked into your daily routine.

 

The Project offers tips on how to start meaningful conversations found at www.hihowareyou.org/getinvolved. Visit our Case Studies, to learn more about our partners at the Hi, How Are You Project.