College is an exciting time for many people, but it can also be taxing on mental health. Students have a lot to deal with. They must get good grades and many of them are also doing a lot of partying. The combination of peer pressure, academic stress and sleepless nights can really get to them.
Because college is so difficult, many students develop emotional disorders while attending. Anxiety and depression often develop, and they can be severe at times. Instead of reaching out for help, some students will treat their symptoms with drugs and alcohol. While these may provide temporary relief, they will end up making things worse in the long run.
Fortunately, there are steps students can take to keep their health intact. This article will review how to take care of mental health in college.
What Is Mental Health?
When someone asks how we are doing health wise, we tend to think of physical health. If our major organs are in good shape and we are not dealing with any injuries, we are a-okay, right?
But what we don’t consider is mental health. This involves our thoughts and emotions.
It’s not unusual for people to deal with anxiety and depression. These can be due to the stresses of everyday life, unfortunate things that happen and so on.
But in some instances, anxiety and depression can be so severe they become debilitating. They may cause people to be unable to get out of bed. They may withdraw from social situations and be unable to enjoy life.
While some emotional disorders occur due to external factors, others are caused by genetics and chemical imbalances in the brain. They include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, OCD and more.
There are many ways mental health can suffer but fortunately, emotional issues can be treated with therapy, medication and lifestyle changes.
Tips on How To Take Care of Mental Health in College
Mental health can really go haywire when you are dealing with the stresses of college life. Here are some tips on how to take care of mental health in college.
- Get enough sleep: Parties and all-night study sessions can get in the way of a good night’s sleep but being well rested is essential to mental health.
- Talk to others: If the stress is getting to be too much for you, reach out to your support network or a school counselor.
- Avoid drugs and alcohol: Drugs and alcohol are a major temptation in college, but they can cause chemical imbalances that make mental problems worse.
- Stay active: Exercise is great for relieving stress and improving mood.
- Eat well: The right foods will give you the energy you need to get through your days, and they also have mood enhancing properties.
- Reward yourself: College is hard work. If you do well, take some time to reward yourself by buying a new gadget or heading out for a spa day.
How Atlanta Recovery Can Help
It is hopeful that college students don’t turn to drugs and alcohol to deal with the stresses of college life, but if they do, Atlanta Recovery Place is here to help.
At Atlanta Recovery, we realize every patient is different. We take the time to analyze each one’s needs and find the treatment plan that is best suited to their individual situation. We get to the root of the addiction to treat its underlying cause making for a long-term recovery solution.
College life is hard. If it’s getting the best of you, don’t be afraid to reach out for help. Atlanta Recovery will be your rock guiding you through difficult days and clearing a path for healthier living.
