Balancing classes, assignments, exams, extracurricular activities, and friendships can be overwhelming as a student, and life can be pretty hectic. It’s no wonder that students often find themselves feeling stressed, anxious, and mentally drained.
However, a healthy and balanced lifestyle can bring peace and calm students’ mental health. There are many ways to escape the harsh reality and keep our minds at ease to focus on our ultimate goals.
Here are some ways that a better lifestyle can benefit students’ mental well-being:
1. Regular Exercise:
Exercise releases endorphins which help to boost mood and reduce stress. Regular exercise has proven to be an effective way to reduce stress and anxiety levels. Exercising regularly improves your self-esteem and helps build confidence by making an individual feel better about themselves. Working out also enhances your cognitive function, increasing blood flow to the brain and promoting healthy blood cells in the brain.
Not only does exercise help in the short term, but it also helps in the long run by improving overall health and preventing future illnesses. Regular exercise positively impacts our mental health since it reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety.
2. Healthy Diet:
Eating a balanced and nutritious diet gives us the essential nutrients required to maintain good mental health because food plays a crucial role in our mental health. A diet rich in nutrient-dense foods is associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety.
Eating a balanced diet of whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds can help lower the risk and severity of these mental health conditions. Consuming proper nutrients and eliminating processed foods and sugars can lead to more optimal brain functioning, which can significantly help with stress, anxiety, and depression.
3. Proper Sleeping Patterns:
Mental health problems such as anxiety and depression can be caused due lack of sleep deprivation. Sleeping seven to eight hours helps reduce stress and anxiety levels and improves memory retention and decision-making. Good quality and quantity of sleep brings a positive mood, reduces irritability and fatigue, and is associated with a lower risk of developing depression.
Adequate sleep can help boost creativity by enhancing the brain’s ability to make connections between seemingly unrelated ideas. Sleep affects emotions, physical health, and mental health. Sleeping can positively impact your overall well-being, resulting in better mental health.
4. Mindfulness practices:
Practising mindfulness can be an excellent way to reduce stress levels and improve mental health. Activities like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises can help improve focus, increase relaxation, and facilitate better emotional regulation. Being mindful can help individuals acknowledge their thoughts and feelings honestly. It can help reduce stress levels and can provide a sense of relief.
Mindfulness practices often involve creating space in your comfort and sealing yourself with positive thoughts. For example, your Newcastle accommodation brings a nurturing and quiet space outside and inside, providing you with the comfort you deserve during rough days.
When a person practices mindfulness, they can increase their ability to regulate their emotions better. It can be reflected in lower anxiety and depression levels. Often, mindfulness practices involve paying attention to the breath and connecting with the body. It has been found to help manage chronic pain, heart disease, and even a range of other conditions.
5. Better lifestyle choices
Excessive alcohol consumption can affect mental health, leading to depression, anxiety, and other mood disorders. Pursuing hobbies and activities that bring joy and a sense of accomplishment can help improve mood and promote mental well-being. A robust social support system can help promote feeling better. A healthy lifestyle also includes a clean and convenient living area. Especially for international students, it might be difficult for them to adjust to a whole different country, and homesickness is a common struggle among international students.
Finding a place that feels like a home away from home and makes students feel safe has to be a top priority when choosing accommodation. For example, student accommodation in London is a perfect place with a high standard of living and a safe space for students.
Conclusion
A better lifestyle can bring peace and calm to students’ mental well-being. By incorporating regular exercise, a healthy diet, good sleeping patterns, mindfulness practices, and better lifestyle choices, students can create a lifestyle supporting their mental health, leading to more fulfilling academic and personal life experiences. It is essential to cultivate healthy habits now that will benefit you for a lifetime.
