Mental Health: Self Care & Why It’s Important

Our mental health plays an important role in our everyday lives. Especially these days, taking care of your mental health is extremely important. Since everyone experiences stress, albeit in different ways, it’s something we can all understand and relate to. 

At Robertson, we want to cultivate our community by providing mental health support to all our students and staff. Since September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, we wanted to focus this post around stress-management strategies, self care activities and highlight what supports we offer here at Robertson. Mental illness affects many of us, so let’s use this community to build each other up and promote positivity! 

 

Our top 10 self care tips

Our mental health is just as important as our physical health. As a student, it’s easy to push aside self care as your assignments, classes and other responsibilities pile up. 

Here are 10 self care tips you can try to give yourself compassion (and a well-deserved break). 

 

1. Eat healthy

You have to fuel your body in order to do good work. Try your best to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Instead of potato chips for a snack, try crackers and hummus or veggies and dip. Make sure you don’t miss meals and of course, don’t forget to treat yourself every once in a while too!

 

2. Take breaks

Studying is important, but your health is more important. Taking breaks actually gives your mind a rest and will help you feel recharged once you return to the books. 

 

3. Make time for hobbies

School can easily consume your life but we encourage you to find a balance. It’s unhealthy to spend 10+ hours at your desk and it will likely lead to added stress or even burnout. Make sure you spend some time with your hobbies! Take a study break and go for a jog, play a riff on your guitar or continue to tackle that puzzle you can’t seem to finish. Whatever hobby brings you joy, try to partake a few times a week, even if it’s only for a half hour at a time.

 

4. Socialize

Call a friend or go visit your family every now and then. It’ll give you time away from the books and give your mind something else to focus on (and hopefully enjoy). 

 

5. Unplug 

Our world is so digitally driven and our phones constantly throw information at us. Try taking a break from social media once a week – or even once a day – and use that time to do something else that fills your cup. We bet you’ll have a clearer mind and feel more relaxed. 

 

6. Get enough sleep

As a student, sleep can be one of the first things to go but it’s crucial to positive mental health. The less sleep you get, the less mentally sharp you may feel and it may take longer to get things done – all resulting in more stress. Make sure you catch enough zz’s and you’ll be feeling better in no time. 

 

7. Treat yourself

One of the kindest things you can do for yourself when you’ve had a rough day is treat yourself. It can be something small like buying your favourite coffee, going for a pedicure, or watching your favourite movie. Don’t forget to do the small things that bring you joy and make you feel good. 

 

8. Spend time in nature

Even if it’s a quick 30 minute walk, getting outside and breathing in that fresh air can do wonders for mental health. Listen to a podcast or your fave playlist and you won’t want to come inside! 

 

9. Take time off

It’s impossible for humans to give 100% of their effort 24/7. Make sure you take time each week to put the books away and do something for you for an extended period of time. 

 

10. Ask for help if you need it

If you’re struggling, never feel bad asking for help. We have plenty of student supports at Robertson and there are plenty of mental health supports available outside of our campus. Keep reading to discover your options. 

 

5 ways to manage your stress 

It’s never a bad time to practice self care – really, it’s something you should be doing all year long. But if you’re still struggling to manage your stress around school (or otherwise), maybe you want some more concrete ways to manage that stress and anxiety. Read on to learn five stress-management techniques that will hopefully bring you some peace and help you get back on track. 

 

1. Deep breathing

Our lives are so fast-paced that sometimes slowing down and focusing on our breathing is all we need to feel calmer. If you’re feeling anxious or stressed, sit or lie down in a comfortable spot and try deep breathing. Count to eight when you inhale, then count to eight when you exhale. Even doing this for five minutes should help you feel more relaxed.

 

2. Exercise

It’s scientifically proven that moving your body helps improve your mood and reduces stress. The next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a short walk, go for a jog or even throw on your favourite song and dance it out! Getting those endorphins flowing will reduce your stress and help you feel re-energized. 

 

3. Meditation

Meditation is a great avenue for calming the mind, bringing yourself to the present moment and reducing anxious thoughts and feelings. If you’re interested in mindfulness and trying meditation, Calm and Headspace are great starting points. 

 

4. Make a plan

As a student, sometimes your stress may come from the number of things you have to get done. Try writing a to-do list or mapping out your deadlines in a calendar. Having a set plan and determining your priorities will help you get everything done and hopefully reduce your stress. 

 

5. Talk to someone

Sometimes life gets overwhelming and you may have a hard time managing stress on your own. One of the best things you can do is talk to someone. Whether that’s your partner, a friend, a family member or you find a licensed professional in your city, getting your thoughts out will hopefully bring clarity and remind you that you’re not alone. You can also reach out to a Robertson counsellor and they’ll be happy to help you. 

 

What are Robertson’s mental health supports? 

At Robertson, your mental health is one of our highest priorities. We know college can be a stressful time for our students, especially given the changes we’ve all had to adapt to during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We have many supports in place to help you manage your coursework and mental health. We encourage you to reach out if you need and check out the following resources. 

 

Speak to a counsellor 

 You can reach out to a Robertson counsellor through our website. 

Our team is dedicated to supporting students through their struggles. We spoke with Amanda, the Lead of Student Support and Services for Robertson Online and she shared some tips and mental health resources that may be helpful to Robertson students. Let’s see what she had to say. 

 

Q: What tips for stress management can you offer students? 
A:

• Set clear boundaries and expectations
• Designate a specific area for your work and keep it consistent
• Find ways to spend your time
• Know your limits
• Keep your mind stimulated
• Stay active
• Connect with friends and family
• Reach out for professional support when you need it

 

Read our blog 

Every month we add new content to our blog! We highlight new programs, our campuses, job advice and other helpful tips like how to transition to online learning and how to make friends in college. Check back every so often – we bet you’ll find something helpful. 

 

Additional mental health resources

If you’re struggling, please remember you’re not alone. Reach out to a loved one or a professional if you need and take time to rest your mind and body. 

Here are some additional resources to help you manage your mental health: 

• Mental Health Resource Guide from the Canadian Mental Health Association
• National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
• Kids Help Phone
• Stress Management Tips for Students from Psych Central
• The College Student’s Guide to Stress Management from Purdue University
• Find a counsellor through BetterHelp or Psychology Today

If you’ve found anything in this article helpful, then we’ve done our job. We wish you all the best on your mental health journey during this time.