School life can be a war zone for the mind: We pit ourselves against exams, social life, and our own self-improvement, often to the detriment of our mental health. The weapons that can help us overcome the challenges of academic life are not just those in lectures and textbooks but also in the lifestyle choices students make on a daily basis. This is a breakdown of how those choices can affect students’ mental health and learning potential.
1. Nutrition: Fueling the Brain
A balanced diet is key to good physical health, yet the role that food plays in mental health and learning is just as vital. Regular consumption of nutritious food helps students to concentrate more, remember better, and maintain a more stable mood. Omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamins have been proven to increase cognitive functions and brain activity. Conversely, a diet high in processed foods and sugars can make students sluggish, moody, and unable to properly concentrate on their studies. That said, the latter can also happen when you overexert yourself. If you need a break from your rigorous studying, hire an essay writing service for some extra help. Such an academic assistant can take over some more time-consuming tasks, allowing you to take care of your needs.
2. Exercise: More Than Just Muscles
Maintenance of a healthy lifestyle includes regular physical activity. Exercise helps one to stay fit, and it also releases endorphins, the so-called ‘feel-good’ hormones. Happy students are able to study better and get less tired.
3. Sleep: The Underrated Superpower
You should never underestimate the importance of sleeping well. The risk of sleep deprivation among students at exam time is an ever-present danger. As we all know, a lack of sleep can result in lower cognitive abilities and decreased concentration, frustration, irritability and heightened anxiety. Getting 7-9 hours of sleep per night can greatly improve a student’s mood and performance while also having a positive effect on mental well-being.
4. Social Interactions: Connect to Thrive
Humans are social animals, and students are no exception. Quality social interactions can provide a nice emotional boost. Socialising with peers in constructive ways can provide a support network, reduce loneliness and increase feelings of belonging. However, many learners dont have enough time to spend with their fields. If you are familiar with this problem, go here to see some great writing providers who can supplement your studies so that you could spend some much-needed time with your peers. After all, poor social relationships or a feeling of isolation can lead to higher stress and anxiety, which in turn can negatively impact mental health and academic performance.
5. Substance Use: A Slippery Slope
The college environment can lead to experimentation with substances that can have lasting impacts on mental health and learning. Occasional use can escalate into dependence, and long-term negative consequences can include decreased academic achievement, mental health disorders and impaired cognitive function.
6. Stress Management: Learning the Ropes
Tackling stress is one of the most important skills one can acquire. Students who have perfected this are better at managing the demands of their studies and personal issues.
Here are some stress management tips for students:
- Plan ahead:Â Use a planner or digital calendar to help you prioritise and schedule your schoolwork and assignment deadlines.
- Break Tasks into Smaller Steps:Â Divide large projects into bite-sized pieces to avoid a flood of emotions.
- Practise Mindfulness:Â Use meditation or deep breathing to reduce anxiety.Â
- Keep moving:Â Try walking, yoga or sports to help relieve stress.
- Get Enough Zzz’s: Get 7-9 hours of sleep a night.Â
- Set Realistic Goals:Â Keep your objectives achievable to prevent unnecessary pressure.
- Maintain Social Connections:Â Spend time with friends and family who support and uplift you.
- Limit Caffeine and Sugar:Â This will help you decrease anxiety and improve sleep quality.
Get help from a counsellor or therapist if your stress is out of control.
7. Digital Consumption: Double-Edged Sword
In an era of digital shaping, students are being flooded with information and distractions from their electronic gadgets, resulting in overwhelming fatigue, weakening mental health, and diminution of concentration. However, digital devices can be powerful learning tools when used in moderation. Mind your screen time and monitor the apps you use to ensure you’re not overindulging in social media.
8. Routine and Structure: The Framework for Success
Routine is good for mental health and performance. Because of this, regularity is important. When you study, take regular breaks. Morning is the best time to study for many people. With a routine in place and set times for study, rest and play, you can decrease your stress levels and become more productive.
A Balanced Equation
When trying to adapt healthy habits and make better life choices as a student, give yourself time and practice self-compassion. We often try to tick every box at once and get angry with ourselves when we do something wrong, but this is not productive. Allow yourself ample time to build a healthy and balanced lifestyle, and you’ll have no problem sticking to it!
