Tag Archives: mental health

Make Time For Yourself

Leave a reply

I don’t know about you but this past school year felt very long and it certainly didn’t end the way we imagined. But now that summer has hit, hopefully, you’re getting a chance to take a breather. Here are some of our favorite ways to relax, unwind, and make time for ourselves. 

Cook A Favorite Meal 

What’s more comforting than eating your favorite meal? Whether breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a late-night snack, whipping up your favorite meal can be therapeutic and obviously rewarding because, duh, you get to eat!

Listen To Music or A Podcast

Most people already know that music can be a powerful tool. Listening to music can calm us or lift us up, but have you considered Podcasts? They can also be great tools for self-care. Not only can they be informative, engaging, and relatable, but they can be a lot of fun. They can also be a great way to connect with others. 

Spend Time With Loved Ones (Digitally)

Even though most of us are trying to keep our distance from others, we can still have social lives. Thankfully, we live in a digital era where we have many options to talk and see our favorite people without having to be in the same room. 

Watch Your Favorite Movie or Show 

Who doesn’t want to lounge on a couch or bed and watch your favorite movie or show? 

Put Your Phone Down 

Yes, you read that correctly. Take care of yourself by escaping your phone for a bit. Social media can take up a lot of our time and almost become an obsession. Limit the endlessly scrolling and practice self-care by doing a little digital detox. 

Exercise 

Find exercising or stretching routines that are fun for you to do at home. If you can go outside, go for a walk or run while still keeping socially distant. By staying active, you can calm your mind and anxiety, plus you’re staying healthy which is always great. 

Chill Out

Don’t feel obligated to stay busy. Take care of yourself by resting and simply doing nothing. Just because a lot of us are finding ourselves with extra time at home, it doesn’t mean you have to somehow learn a new skill or create something groundbreaking (though if you do, you’re amazing!). It’s perfectly ok to take some time for yourself, to feel overwhelmed, to need a break. No one knows your body better than you do, so if you feel the need to relax, do it!

Spend Time With God

No matter how you like to do it, spend some time with God. Join a virtual Bible study or prayer group. Or if you prefer to worship in solitude, take a walk in nature or spend some time in quiet reflection.

You Are Not Alone 

Don’t bottle up your thoughts and feelings. If you’re feeling alone or uneasy, reach out to someone whether it’s a friend, family member, or counselor. 

Remember, good health doesn’t just mean good physical health. Your mental health is just as important. Make sure you treat yourself!

 

Making Mental Health A Priority  

Leave a reply

By Ally Romanes

We are living in strange times. As we are sheltering at home, some find it difficult not to be able to be outside moving around and others really miss interacting with people. It’s not only important to check on your friends and family, but it’s also important to check on yourself as well. Here are some ways to prioritize your mental health during this time. 

Set A Routine 

You’ve heard this over and over already but its good advice so I’ll say it again! Making a daily routine for yourself will keep you on top of things and help you stay motivated. It can be as simple as making your bed every morning or setting a time to eat lunch. Making a routine will keep you productive and remind you of what you need to accomplish.

Stay Connected With Friends 

It’s important to stay in touch with your friends. through FaceTime, phone calls, and texting. While we may not know what will happen next, we need to be there for one another to help ease the stress we may be going through. 

Get Fresh Air 

Just because we are being asked to stay home doesn’t mean you can’t go outside. Go out and get some fresh air and clear your mind. 

Do Activities You Enjoy

It’s important to keep doing the things you enjoy. Whether that be watching your favorite show or exercising, keep doing the activities you enjoy every day.  

At-Home Exercises 

Even without access to a gym, you can still workout at home. Go for a run, take or walk, or go on a bike ride. If you need some at-home exercise inspiration, ask your friends or look-up workouts on Pinterest or Youtube. It’s important to stay active for your physical and mental health. 

Sleep

Make sure you get enough sleep each night to restore your energy. Getting enough hours of sleep will help you think clearly and feel better during the day. 

Look-Up Pictures Of Animals 

Who doesn’t like seeing cute photos of animals? Follow a few on Instagram or YouTube some cat videos. The Monterey Bay Aquarium has a sea otter cam that allows you to watch the sea otters during the day. You don’t want to miss out on the cuteness! 

Focus On Things You Can Control 

With the uncertainty we are living in, it’s important to focus on things we can control. Don’t overthink or obsess about the things you don’t have power over, but instead focus on the things you can control.

Read A Devotional

One of the best things we can do for our own mental health is turn to God. Open your Bible or sign up to get a Bible verse of the day. You can also join us here on the blog every Friday for a devotional thought from one of our own Pioneers.

With the challenges and changes we are dealing with, don’t forget to take care of yourself, and know, your PUC family is here for you!

 

Seven Tips for Mental Health Upkeep

Leave a reply

Ally Romanes 

Like most people, you may find yourself feeling overwhelmed from time to time. Stress is something literally everyone deals with and often struggles with. While a lot of times you are able to completely manage it, there are times things may feel out of control. Between the weight of school, work, and your personal life, it can get to be too much. It’s very important for you to take care of your mental health, especially while you’re in college. Here are seven mental health upkeep tips

Sleep

It can be hard to get a good night’s rest during college, but it is a must! The more hours of sleep you get, the more refreshed you will feel in the morning and throughout your day. Your brain needs sleep in order to perform. When you sleep, your brain helps your body heal from all the stress you encountered during the day. Getting more than five hours of sleep will also improve your mood.

Have A Support System

Having a support system will help keep you on your feet. Every student feels stressed and overwhelmed. A strong support system will show that you are not alone and means you will have people to go for help and encouragement. By having your friends, family, and professors by your side, success is much easier to obtain. You can’t do everything on your own! Don’t be afraid to reach out to those people in your support system. 

Have A Healthy Diet

What you eat affects your body, mind, and spirit. The healthier you eat, the better you will feel. Eating a lot of junk food will slow you down both physically and mentally. Skip the chips and opt for a healthy snack!

Get Active

As Elle Woods once said, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy.”  The more active you are, the more endorphins your body will have. Exercising will boost your mood, take your mind off of stressors, and will help you feel accomplished. You will also have more energy and motivation to get things done. giphy-1

Pray

There is power in prayer. Take all your worries, stress, and burdens to God. He is a source of comfort and strength. Praying about your troubles can help you feel some of your burdens are off your shoulders. Feel like you need a little extra prayer? Reach out to one of our campus chaplains! 

Meet With A Campus Counselor

Take advantage of the counselors on campus—it’s free. Meeting with a counselor allows you to vent about the stress you are going through. A counselor can teach you great techniques to deal with your stress, like how to calm yourself before an exam or how to cope with feeling overwhelmed. A counselor can also be part of your support system. Meetings are confidential, so feel free to share anything. 

Reward Yourself

You need to recognize how hard you work to accomplish your many tasks. Reward yourself by going out to eat, taking a nap, or watching a show or movie. Feel proud and confident about the work you’ve done and the progress you are making to own each day. Continue making goals and reward yourself again and again.

Everyone deals with stress differently but one thing is clear, we all need a little help every once in a while and hopefully, these seven tips will come in handy!