Mental Wellness Support and Tips For UW Students
As we head into exam season, we must find a healthy balance between school and downtime. It is necessary to take time for ourselves and to prioritize our mental and physical health during such a stressful time. Below are some tips and resources to help support you as we approach the end of the Winter term.
1. Getting Enough Sleep
The CDC recommends that adults age 18 and up have 7 or more hours of sleep per night. It can be easy to lose track of time when studying or scrolling on our phones. When there is a lack of sleep, we often become more annoyed and frustrated, making us more open to stress.
However, getting high-quality sleep can help to improve our mood and overall mental state, providing us with more energy throughout the day. Consider doing some meditation or light stretches before bed to help increase your natural melatonin levels.
2. Staying Active
Getting a little exercise during the day can increase attentiveness and concentration. Whether it be a short walk outside or a 15-minute stretch, staying active and moving our bodies can help to alleviate some stress.
You can also make use of the gym facilities provided by the university located in the Physical Activities Complex (PAC).
3. Making Time to Eat
Food is needed to keep our bodies functioning properly throughout the day. Making sure we eat proper meals is important. Food provides us with the necessary nutrients to fuel our brains. Be sure to also manage your caffeine levels, as too much caffeine can cause insomnia and increase irritability.
There are many restaurants and food services located on campus that you can visit and eat.
4. Spending Time With Others
Being social is a vital part of being human. We crave social interactions and connecting with others is an essential part of maintaining our mental well-being.
Make some time to spend with friends and family. It is easy to get carried away with studying, but don’t forget that university can go by very quickly. You might regret not having spent more time with others or trying to meet new people. While you still can, try your best to make some amazing memories.
The University of Waterloo offers a variety of clubs and events to join and attend. If you would like to meet new people, finding a club to join is a great way to do so.
5. Maintaining a Positive Mindset
Being in school and meeting new people makes it easy to compare ourselves with others. We may start to psych ourselves out and think we are not good enough or we will fail the exam. However, if we fight those negative thoughts with positive ones, it can boost our morale and build our self-confidence.
Whether saying it out loud or writing it down, reciting positive statements can help to encourage us. Some examples may include: “I can do this!”, "I will pass my exam!”, or “I worked hard this term, I got this.”
6. Reaching Out For Support
Lastly, if you are ever feeling a huge amount of stress or are overwhelmed, don't be afraid to reach out for support. Talking to a friend or family member, reaching out for support and having someone listen, can help release the tension and stress you may be feeling.
There are many resources provided on campus that can also be useful if you find yourself needing someone to talk to:
Extra Tips For Personal Safety on Campus
In addition to mental health, it is also important that we stay mindful of our physical safety. As we may stay later at school to study, staying vigilant and following good personal safety is necessary as well.
Here are some tips surrounding personal safety when travelling to and from campus:
Walk in well-lit areas and avoid dark alleyways or isolated areas
Try your best to travel in a group or walk with a friend
Tell someone you trust where you will be and what time you expect to arrive home
Stay alert of your surroundings and avoid being on your phone
Keep your head up when walking and be sure to look around
Always remember to take care of yourself and take time to rest. As important as school is, your health remains the number one priority. Be sure to take time for yourself and practice self-care.