My 5 Essential Daily Habits to Support Mental Health and Success in College

Effective Strategies I Used as a Student with Mental Health Conditions that Boosted My Well-being and Academic Performance

Aug 12, 2024

Illustration of a college student sitting cross-legged with a worried expression, holding a book. Surrounding her are thought bubbles depicting various self-care activities: running, meditating, working on a laptop, drinking water, and eating healthy food. The background shows a college campus with other students walking around. — Created with Dall-e

Back in college, I often got so caught up in lectures, essays, and social events, I forgot to take a breath and care for myself. This neglect led to a crash: I developed Crohn's Disease, and the added stress caused me to clench my jaw so hard that I couldn't open my mouth and had to live off mashed potatoes and Ensure drinks.

If you're in school, prioritize self-care to avoid a similar fate. After my crash, I developed five simple daily habits that improved my physical health, mental well-being, and productivity.

Practice Mindfulness and Meditation

Mindfulness and body scans helped me stay aware of my stress levels. For a quick refresh, I used guided meditations on apps like Medito (Google Play | App Store) instead of reaching for caffeine.

Regular Physical Activity

I included physical activity in my daily schedule, whether through weight training, pilates classes, or campus walks. This helped me overcome slumps from assignments and other obligations.

Maintain a Balanced Diet

Eating healthy was challenging with my packed schedule, but I made sure I never skipped meals and carried healthy snacks. I chose nutritious options, like yogurt and fruit, over chips and candy when buying food at school.

Stay Hydrated

Carrying a refillable water bottle helped me maintain the habit of drinking plenty of water, which boosted my energy and focus.

Regular Breaks

To avoid burnout, I took breaks during intense study sessions to stretch and walk around.

Implementing these habits in college allowed me to handle larger workloads and produce better work. If you aren't doing these things, start with one and incorporate it into your daily routine.

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