The man is playing basketball.
Try these tips to balance or balance yourself.
- Rate yourself:
Treat yourself with kindness and respect, and avoid self-criticism. Spend time on your favorite hobbies and projects, or expand your horizons. Crossword daily, plant gardens, take dance lessons, learn to play an instrument, or master another language.
- Take care of your body:
Taking care of yourself physically can improve your mental health. Make sure:
Eat nutritious food.
Avoid smoking and steam – see Quit smoking.
Drink more water
Exercise, which helps reduce depression and anxiety and improves mood.
Get enough sleep. Researchers believe that lack of sleep leads to higher rates of depression in college students.
- Surround yourself with good people:
People with strong families or social connections are generally healthier than those who do not have a support network. Make plans with supportive family and friends, or find activities where you can meet new people, such as clubs, classes, or support groups.
- Treat yourself:
Volunteer your time and energy to help someone else. You’ll feel good about working hard to help someone in need, and it’s a great way to meet new people. Check out the fun and affordable things to do in Ann Arbor for ideas.
- Learn to deal with stress:
Like it or not, stress is part of life. Practice good coping skills: Try one-minute stress strategies, practice tai chi, exercise, go for a walk in nature, play with your pet, or try to write in a journal to reduce stress. Do Also, remember to smile and see humor in life. Research shows that laughter can boost your immune system, relieve pain, relax your body and reduce stress.
- Calm your mind:
Try meditation, mindfulness, and / or prayer. Relaxation exercises and prayers can improve your state of mind and your outlook on life. In fact, research shows that meditation can help you feel calmer and increase the effectiveness of therapy. To connect, look for spiritual resources on personal well-being for students.
- Set realistic goals:
Decide what you want to achieve academically, professionally and personally, and write down the steps you need to take to reach your goals. Goal, but be realistic and don’t schedule too much. You will enjoy a tremendous sense of accomplishment and self-confidence as you move toward your goal. Wellness training, free for UM students, can help you achieve goals and stay on track.
- Break the uniformity:
Although our routines make us more efficient and increase our sense of safety and security, a small change of pace can keep a painful schedule alive. Edit your walk, plan a road trip, take a walk in a different park, post some new photos, or try a new restaurant. See Youth 101 for more ideas.
- Avoid alcohol and other drugs:
Keep alcohol consumption to a minimum and avoid other drugs. Sometimes people use alcohol and other drugs for “self-medication”, but in reality alcohol and other drugs only cause complex problems. See Alcohol and other drugs for more information.
Get help when you need it:
Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. And it is important to remember that treatment is effective. People who get proper care can recover from mental illness and addiction and live a full and productive life. See Resources for Stress and Mental Health for Campus and Community Resources.
