Mental Health Matters
After a long whirlwind of a spring semester filled with late nights studying for that big test, going on hometown dates and spring break trips, giving your all to that organization, watching baseball games at the Dude, and saying some hard goodbyes, it’s important to take the time to check in on yourself and appreciate everything you have overcome this semester. In perfect timing, May is mental health awareness month — a month devoted to reducing stigma around and raising awareness for mental health.
Your mental health deserves just as much attention (if not more) as your physical health. Think about it. Everyone has mental health — yes, some are at different levels than others, but it's something that every single one of us has. Just like physical health, mental health is always changing; it could be fantastic one week and not so great the next. So, no matter where you are in your journey, it is important to find ways to take care of your mental health and give it the attention that it deserves.
When it comes to self-care, there’s no one-size-fits-all fix! That’s partly the beauty of it — there are so many ways to care for yourself. As long as you are treating yourself with kindness and giving yourself some grace, you’re doing it right! Here are 5 tips to get started:
Get into a routine of good quality sleep (7-8 hours each night!)
Exercise to get those endorphins flowing.
Support your body and mind with a nutritious and balanced diet.
Ground yourself in a support system of close friends and family.
Develop personalized coping skills to manage stress.
Maybe caring for yourself means taking some time to be alone, or maybe it means spending time with close friends and family. It could mean taking something off your plate, journaling, reading your Bible, making a bubble bath, meditating, worshipping, taking a walk, or even treating yourself to a scoop of ice cream. No matter what it may look like, take time each day to incorporate some form of self-care into your schedule.
Just remember that if you’re struggling, you are NOT alone. One in five adults struggles with a diagnosable mental health condition, and there is no right or wrong way to seek help! Of course it is important to be there for others when you can, but don’t neglect yourself.
Whether you’ve been diagnosed with a mental health condition or not, your mental health matters! Chi Omega Phi Delta wants you to know in case no one has told you lately: you matter just by being here, you are loved, and you are allowed to ask for help.
Never be ashamed to ask for help:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-8255
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
