Although it is an exciting time for many students, college can also introduce struggles with social pressures, such as the need to conform or experiment with drugs and alcohol, problems finding a balance between work and life, impostor syndrome, and a insufficient amount of sleep.

Students attending college might be feeling disconnected from their community of friends and family back home, as they meet new people, values, and new life experiences.

All of these changes place students in college at risk of developing mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety. Stress in the classroom can exacerbate existing mental health problems.

7 Tips to Stay Healthful in College

Although the transition from high school to college can be a challenge but most students adjust to their surroundings. As a campus mental health practitioner, I've come up with seven tips that will help you make a smooth transition to college and keep your balance and well-being throughout your time students.

1. Make sure you get enough rest

There is a feeling that there's not enough hours during the day for college students to do everything they want to do, whether it's attending class, working, socializing, working on sports or participating in extracurriculars. In this atmosphere of constant movement, sleep is often not the very first item to be eliminated.At site psychreg from Our Articles

In college, it's considered a badge of honour to work all night. However, at the end of the day it doesn't matter what cool it may seem or how many additional hours you're able to study when you're awake -- getting enough sleep is vital for your health and well-being which includes your grades.

The best way to enhance your sleeping habits is to implement good sleep hygiene. Here are some simple tips to help you sleep better. better night's sleep:

• You should go to bed and wake up at the same time each day.
• Don't drink caffeine too late at night
• Beware of naps during the day.
• Use the bed only for sleeping

2. Exercise Regularly

Exercise can improve your sleep and increase your overall fitness. The relationship between exercise and students vary. Certain types of exercise help to ease tension and will try to squeeze it in even when busy, whereas other are prone to it being part of their routine they take off when they begin feeling overwhelmed.

If you're in this category, make sure that you're using exercise as a method to manage stress and that you're not overexercising to the point that you harm yourself or losing excessive weight.

If you're in the second category I recommend finding ways to incorporate exercise into your everyday routine, even if it's just an hour-long walk around campus.

3. Eat a Balanced Diet

College food choices can be difficult when you're dependent on dining halls instead of home-cooked meals, or if your budget can limit your options when it comes to food. The Center for Young Women's Health and Nutritious Life provide useful guidance for assessing your food options.

One key to healthy eating is to be aware of the unorthodox study hours or the schedule of classes, you might find yourself hungry at odd time. Be sure to carry nutritious snacks in your bag including carrots, bananas and nuts, dried fruits, dried nuts and chips made of kale.

College can be a particularly difficult time for those with the disorder of eating. The reason is that restricting what you eat, binge eating as well as purging, are typically linked to self-esteem and control. When you're stressed at the schoolwork, you'll begin to feel overwhelmed and unhappy about yourself.

If you've noticed that you're adopting unhealthy patterns in your behavior, old or new, schedule an appointment to speak with an experienced nutritionist, mental healthcare provider, or primary care doctor at your school health center promptly.

4. Set aside time for self-care

It's easy to forget to take care of yourself in college. But no matter how busy that you are, you need to learn to make time to do something that you love or is relaxing for you. Some may enjoy getting massages, seeing movies, or engaging in a hobby. Others may prefer doing yoga or practicing mindfulness.

Students will greatly benefit by focusing in the here and now, particularly when anxious or stressed. Consider using a meditation app to hone your mindfulness skills.

5. Be aware of the potential dangers of substance Misuse

Students in colleges often feel pressure to experiment with drugs as well as alcohol. This is particularly so given the culture of binge drinking that is prevalent on college campuses, society's changing views about marijuana and the rise of vaping.

It's important for students to recognize the health risks that come with the misuse of drugs. The bottom line is that you should be making informed, and not an impulsive, socially based, decision.

For example, even though students might believe that marijuana is harmless, the drug actually carries many dangers, including those related to mental health. It is important to monitor your behavior, such as how often you use drugs or consume alcohol.

It's recommended to meet at parties outside and search at alternative ways to hang out with friends that doesn't include alcohol and drugs.

6. The importance of Sexual Health and Safety

The health of sexual partners is a vital aspect of overall wellbeing. Students should take care to have safer sex and comprehend the different ways for protection and birth control. They must also understand how to access STD screenings at their college health center.

Additionally, students should be aware of how to talk about consent and security for intimate relationship. Unfortunately, sexual assault remains an issue that is commonplace on college campuses.

Some schools offer bystander training programs, which instruct students how they can act when they witness a violent crime or an assault. Such programs can also teach students how to report crimes on campus , as well as alternatives for treating mental health issues for people who have experienced trauma.

7. Becoming Health Literate

One of college students' biggest obstacles is learning to take control of their health. That's why you should be able to do these things:

• Online doctor appointments, by phone, and in person
• Discussion of health conditions and the treatment options
• Utilizing the basic health vocabulary
• Asking doctors questions
• Taking and refilling medications

Ideally, students will talk concerning health and wellness with their families or teachers prior to when they go to college, especially if they're already being treated for a chronic condition. Even students without health conditions could benefit from this discussion.

Know your Mental Health Status and How to Get Help

Mental health conditions are debilitating. They may lead students to confront difficulties in their academic and social lives. Here are some helpful suggestions that can assist yourself and others.

Know the Symptoms and Signs of Mental Health Disorders

A sign of a mental health condition include changes in sleeping or eating patterns, and also the development of new behaviors such as engaging in reckless behavior or refusing to be social. There may also be changes in your mood, or in the way you talk, like speaking extremely quickly or having difficulty telling a coherent story.

As soon as you start to feel any differences in how you are feeling, it's a good option to track your mood with a workbook or an app. If your mood has been constantly altering or interrupting your daily routine, schedule an appointment with a mental health specialist.