With the school year now in full swing, things can get a bit overwhelming. That just makes it even more of a crucial time to maintain mental health and make the best of the opportunities that come our way. 

• Why is mental health important in the first place?

Mental health ties into every aspect of our lives. In order to be successful, it is important to lay a good foundation. If you have strong pillars, it is so much easier to start piling things on top without risking everything toppling over.  

Here are some tips to help preserve your mental health:

• Channel the stress into something productive.

It’s never good to keep things bottled up. Oftentimes, releasing this bad energy into something else can leave you feeling refreshed, or at least less stressed. Regularly journaling, writing poetry, or drawing are good forms of stress relievers. Why be negative when you can turn it into something positive? 

• Give yourself needed breaks

No matter what, health should always come first, especially mental health! Burdening yourself with more than you can handle will only make the situation worse and demotivate you even further. Take breaks when you need them and come back when you’re ready to start fresh. 

• Self-Affirmations

Have you ever heard of the saying “fake it ‘till you make it?” If you constantly think of demeaning things about yourself, you will start to believe them even if they aren’t true. Hence, when you give yourself the chance to appreciate yourself as the amazing person you are, you can flip your entire mindset. 

• Do something you enjoy

When you’re in a bad mood, don’t be afraid to do something that makes you happy. You deserve it! Sometimes a mood boost is just what you need to keep going. Whether it be hanging out with your friends, binge-watching your favorite show, or eating your favorite food, doing something you enjoy is a great way to add balance to a stressful day.