In today’s fast paced school environment, students are always trying to balance academics, extracurriculars, social life, and much more. With so many responsibilities, mental and physical health can sometimes be pushed aside. However, small habits can make a big difference. Here are 10 realistic, and simple ways that students can improve their mental, and physical wellbeing, especially with exams on the horizon.
1. Get enough sleep: Most teens require around 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Sleep helps improve memory, focus, mood, and overall energy.
2. Staying active: Exercise releases endorphins, which help reduce stress and boost your happiness. Even a 20 minute long walk can improve your mood.
3. Eating balanced meals: A healthy diet fuels both the body and brain. It is important to try to include fruits, vegetables, protein, and whole grains in your meals.
4. Drinking more water: Dehydration may cause headaches, fatigue, and poor concentration. Staying hydrated keeps your body and mind functioning properly.
5. Take breaks from screens: Too much screen time can increase stress and eye strain. Taking short breaks helps refresh your mind and improve focus.
6. Talk to someone you trust: Whether it’s a friend, teacher, or family member, talking about stress can help reduce anxiety and make problems feel more manageable.
7. Manage your time: Using a planner or calendar can reduce last-minute stress and help you feel more in control of your workload.
8. Get outside: Spending time in nature has been shown to improve mood and reduce stress. Fresh air and sunlight can make a big difference.
9. Do something you enjoy: Listening to music, playing sports, or working on a hobby helps relax your mind and recharge your energy.
10. Be kind to yourself: Everyone makes mistakes. Learning to be patient and forgiving with yourself is an important part of good mental health.
Although these seem like simple steps, when it gets down to reality, one would rarely be able to accomplish all 10.
With the pressure of the final weeks of school, exams, and college prep, the best approach would be to implement at least a couple and build from there.
For instance, I find that being active even for short but regular periods of time (for me it’s biking) is an excellent way to boost energy and clear my mind. Doing so outside allows me to check off another strategy for beating the blues, while taking a break from screens and doing something I love.
The school is a great place to work on the remaining strategies, such as managing time effectively and eating balanced meals. A surprising new way of managing stress I recently discovered is being part of more than one community. For instance, I enjoy playing tennis on the UCC varsity team—a true team experience—and a rarity for a tennis player (tennis is mainly an individual sport). I always look forward to our team practices and matches and it is truly a pleasure to belong to such a diverse, supportive and exceptional group, compete and cheer for my teammates – these moments charge you with energy and sense of belonging, especially valuable during stressful times.
The Blue and White 