By Fiorella Marquez
We have all heard the typical advice that everyone gets: “Eat your veggies, make sure you meal prep, wake up thirty minutes earlier and run or do some at-home exercises.” It’s easier said than done.
Staying physically healthy in college can be one of the hardest things to do. We must juggle work, class, studying and home responsibilities. How on earth can we find time to work out and eat right in such a hectic life?
Staying fit and eating a healthy diet are extremely important, but there is another type of health that we usually take for granted… mental health. Believe it or not, taking care of your mind will even help you reach your physical health goals.
Mental and physical health are connected
Why is it so important to take care of ourselves mentally? The answer is simple — just like a car breaks down, we do, too. According to the American Psychological Association, stress is linked to six leading causes of death. Stress can bring illnesses, disorders, relationship problems and mental breakdowns — which can lead to lower grades and a decrease in school performance. We burn out without even realizing it.
Apart from mental health causing physical symptoms, it can also affect our daily motivation and mental ability to conduct daily responsibilities, according to the American Psychological Association. .
For example, dealing with a break up, being broke or having an insane amount of homework can lead to depression, which may cause you to sleep in longer than you need to or end your day earlier than usual, cutting your available time off. Your mood is off so you feel heavy and it’s a struggle to do a simple task. This can have a negative domino effect, keeping you from that work out. Instead, you’ll stuff your face with ice cream and pizza.
So, how do you fix that? Taking care of your mental health first can lead to consistent motivation that will help you make time to get that 30 minute workout in. Here are some simple things to do that can help your mental health:
Create a vision board.
Write positive messages. The Mayo Clinic says that changing negative thoughts to positive ones can help fight depression. I have found that posting sticky notes with positive messages around me to look at throughout the day helps to do this. It can be on your mirror, car, study/work area, laptop, refrigerator or anywhere else you can think of.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s alright to make a mistake and not be okay, we’re human. Take a step back and find solutions. Don’t beat yourself up about it. Keep moving forward.
Allow others to help you. If a stranger, friend or family member is offering you help, accept it. We’re here to help each other. Don’t let pride get in the way.
Take a mental health day. If you need to take a day off to recuperate, do it. Take the day to do yoga, meditate, exercise, read or whatever de-stresses you and puts you in your happy place.
Seek help. There is someone out there willing to listen. There is always the Henderson Student Counseling Center. NSU students receive 10 free mental health counseling sessions. Contact the center at 954-424-6911.
Photo Credit (F. Marquez): Write yourself sticky notes with positive messages that will keep you motivated throughout your day.
Photo Credit (F. Marquez): Creating a vision board is both creatively liberating and therapeutic.
