| TIPS FOR A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE |
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| Manage Your Emotions A well student pays attention to his or her emotional and mental health... |
| Make a list of things you have to complete and prioritize. What has to get done today? What can wait until next week. Start tackling the high priority items on your list. Think about small actions you can take for each item. Cross them off the list when completed. Even though you cannot control all events, you can still control most of your responses to unexpected situations. No matter how much you have to do, find ways to take a break. Your body needs time to recharge. How Are You Feeling Today? Another important part of good mental health is the ability to be clear about your feelings and express these thoughts to others. We all know happy and sad. Other feelings such as anger, hurt, depression and frustration are more difficult to identify. When you cannot pinpoint what you are feeling, you may feel powerless to make the needed changes in your life. When you're not feeling right, force yourself to identify at least three things that you're feeling. The more feelings you're able to list, the closer to the root of the problem you'll be. Once you're able to see what's really bothering you, it's easier to take action. Talk with your RA/RD, a counselor, a campus minister, an advisor or someone else who can help you sort things out. |
| Relax Do things just for you Keep a journal Read a good book Get a massage Take deep breaths Take a walk in nature Listen to music Dream Laugh Take things one day at a time Nourish your spirit Explore your creativity |
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| I Am Good Enough, I Am Smart Enough... As corny as it sounds, tell yourself these things over and over again. Positive self-esteem is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. Self-esteem is the confidence to know that you are capable of making things happen. No matter what life brings, you will be able to handle it. Recognize your strenghts and build on them. Plus, identify your weaknesses and give yourself a break. No one is perfect after all. Acknowledge the things that you accomplish on a daily basis that make you proud. Share them with a good friend. Surround yourself with supportive people who appreciate what you have to offer. Force yourself to take risks. The more you succeed, the more confident you'll feel. Allow yourself permission to make mistakes. Learn from them and move on. Stress Less Stress is a part of everyone's life. A moderate amount of stress fosters creativity, motivation and change. Yet, too much stress gets in the way and can become so overwhelming that your body shuts down. Due to the freedom and temptations of college life, it is easy to let stress become unmanageable. "Positive self-esteem is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself." Managing stress is a skill to practice. You'll get better over time. When you're feeling over whelmed, force yourself to stop and assess the situation. |
| Stress Signs Irritability Forgetfulness Lack of motivation Procrastination Difficulty waking up Excessive crying Lack of concentration Racing heart Sweaty palms Tense muscles (shoulder, back, jaw) Headaches Lingering or unidentified illnesses Not having enough time (to clean your room, open your mail, spend time with friends, eat) Driving too fast Showing up late Losing things |