It's no secret that one of the major stresses that young people face is that of their studies. It's a costly venture that has no definite outcome, so the pressures of it are enormous. Alarmingly, 83% of students in a survey admitted to having struggled with their mental health.
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You would think, in this case, that universities would put the mental wellbeing of their students high on their list of priorities, but still students are waiting up to two months for an appointment with an on-campus mental health specialist. In a recent survey conducted by Student Beans, it was found that 68% of 2,000 students had tried to book an appointment with a counsellor, but a third ended up cancelling largely because the anxiety of waiting was too much to bear.
Student Beans is a platform which helps to deal with the financial strain that students face by providing discounts and vouchers. Now they're taking it upon themselves to tackle the growing problem of mental illness. They've put together a list of tips that can help students cope with uni-related anxiety.
"It's normal to have down days at university, but when it takes over your life completely and you find yourself losing motivation, then it's time to put yourself first", Student Beans founder Michael Eder said. "Whether it's taking small walks or meditating a few times week, ensure you are making time for yourself. The stress of university can take a huge toll on a young person's mental health; we need to encourage them to be open about their struggles and let them know they are not alone."
Five tips for wellness
Meditation
This method frequently raises eyebrows due to its New Age connection, but sitting for a few minutes a day focusing on breathing and relaxing the tension in your muscles can be hugely beneficial. Apps such as Headspace can provide guided meditations to help ground you.
Take a break from social media
For a lot of us, social media is a way of getting news, updates from friends and a place to vent. But it an also do more harm than good when it comes to mental health. We are constantly comparing our social media content with that of other people's even though we know that it's just a fraction of their lives. So consciously turning away from social media and allowing yourself to enjoy the real world every now and again will help your mentality so much.
Stay away from alcohol and drugs
It's easier said than done when the world paints university life to be non-stop partying, but when you already feel anxious and depressed, getting wasted will one hundred per cent make you feel worse. That doesn't mean you can't let your hair down now and again, but taking care of your body will ensure your mind stays healthy also. Plus, you're less likely to do something you're going to regret.
Exercise
It's a scientific fact that exercise releases endorphins which will give you a natural burst of happiness and motivation. The only problem is, so many of us despise working out. But you don't have to join a gym to stay in shape; after all, they are mostly far too expensive for the average student. Instead, consider taking regular walks, runs or bike rides.
Get reading
When you've already got a stack of books to get through for your course, reading for information about dealing with your mental health can seem off-putting. But there are so many books out there with advice that will really help you make a difference in your life and get you on the path to wellness, especially when it's not always easy to speak to a professional face to face.
Tagged in Mental Health