Oct. 10 was World Mental Health Day which was a day to promote awareness of mental health issues and promote mental health wellness.
Upcoming midterms and busy schedules can often cause stress, and it is essential for us to take care of ourselves mentally as well as physically. The counseling services department at HSU provided some tips for us to help prioritize our mental health during stressful times.
First, they [HSU counseling department] explain that sleep should be a priority. This can be achieved by going to bed at a similar time every night, allowing our bodies to have a set sleep routine. Limit screen time before going to bed. When struggling to fall asleep at night, do not become frustrated, instead use the time to do something productive before going back to bed. If you did not get a good night’s sleep the night before, it is recommended to take a nap the next day.
Second, exercise regularly. Studies have shown that simply exercising for 20 minutes a day can significantly reduce mental health issues and help alleviate stress. This could be in the form of walking at a park with friends or being involved with intramural sports or spending time at the Fletcher Fitness center every day. In fact, there are individual training opportunities as well as group fitness classes held at the fitness center to be involved with including yoga sculpt, barbell and burn. To find out more information regarding fitness programs, contact Kourtney Reneau at kourtney.reneau@hsutx.edu.
Third, practice self-care, which involves making conscious decisions to promote wellness in your life. The goal of practicing self-care is to set aside time to intentionally treat yourself with kindness and compassion. It is important to make sure to take care of yourself both mentally and physically like a friend would.
If anyone is seeking further resources such as counseling, they can fill out the intake at https://tiweb.hsutx.edu/TitaniumWeb/WCMenu.aspx and email counseling@hsutx.edu or call 325-671-2272. Counseling has countless benefits for improving one’s mental health and coping with stress and difficult situations.
Comments