According to a study by TASO, mental health problems in students rose from 6% to 16% from 2016 to 2023.
Student life can be challenging and with the cost of living crisis adding strains to finances, stress levels are at an all-time high.
Add this to the fact that the majority of students leave home for the first time when heading to university and can move a long way from home – it’s no surprise that some are left feeling lonely without in-person family member support to rely on.
Have you recently found your mental health a challenge while studying at university? If so, we have a few self-care steps you can take to try and improve your mental wellbeing.
Tips to help improve mental wellbeing for students
Living with mental health problems at any point in life is difficult, especially during university. After all, there’s an important degree to achieve!
With so many factors that can interfere with how happy and confident you feel, from feeling isolated, potentially struggling to make new friends on campus, and worries about poor academic performance – wavering mental health can affect us all at one time or another.
However, there are valuable steps you can take to improve your wellbeing and luckily for you, we’ve collated our favourite mental health tips for students, all designed to help you get back to your normal self!
1. Try to make new friends
As difficult as it can feel when struggling mentally, you should try and make new connections with other people your age.
The first couple of weeks on campus are lively with hundreds of fresh faces at every turn – the perfect opportunity to make some friends.
Lots of people at university are going through the same things at the same time. Try to start conversations with other students in the cafeteria, the library, or after class; many people make friends for life at university!
2. A balanced diet and healthy lifestyle
When mental health feels like it’s kicking you when you’re already down, the easiest thing to do at mealtimes is to either eat rubbish or order a takeaway – especially at uni.
However, making the effort to create a delicious meal by hand can make all the difference. Preparing a meal that you enjoy can aid your mental health and you could learn some fancy culinary skills in the process.
It may seem doubtful, but these little victories have a positive impact.
Plus, while healthy food is good for the soul – a good night’s sleep can help, too. Set a bedtime routine and a clear time to wake up in the morning – it will make a huge difference to your outlook and mood.
3. Try to be physically active
Getting up and out is not only great for your physical health but it can also improve mental wellbeing.
The NHS states that being physically active raises your self-esteem and causes chemical changes in your brain that can positively change your mood.
At university, there are various sports clubs to take part in. Fancy yourself as a footballer, a swimmer, or a tennis player? Get involved and see how much better you feel!
Likewise, helping to set realistic goals and achieve them – like walking a certain distance or lifting a specific weight in the gym – gives you a huge sense of pride and satisfaction, which can also help to reduce stress.
4. Prioritise self-care
Did you know that looking after yourself physically is a great way to improve your mental wellbeing?
Good sleep, keeping up with skincare, and general cleaning are good ways to feel better about yourself.
It may sound simple, but enjoying a hot wash every morning can do more good than you’d think and is a great place to wipe the slate clean (so to speak) so you can start tackling the day ahead from a place of positivity.
5. Use support services
Finally, there should be some support services at your university, like a counselling team, that could help you with your mental health struggles.
If your mental health is hurting your day-to-day life, you should seek help from university staff. These qualified individuals have the training to offer you immediate help and the tools to get you back on track and feeling good.
Support services at Orlando Village
At Orlando Village – the number one place for student accommodation in Bolton – we offer support services to all of our residents during their stay.
Simply speak to a member of staff to discuss any issues.
If you’d like to view the rooms available for students at the University of Bolton, contact us today. Our friendly team will be happy to help you find your home during your studies.
