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3 Easy Steps to Improve your Mental Health

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at SFU chapter.

 

Think Positive

Surrounding yourself around those with an optimistic outlook on life is extremely important to your own mental health. Don’t let yourself get dragged down by others, and find friends that you feel comfortable and happy to be with.

Psych Central feels that “you don’t have to ditch important folks just because they have negative attitudes some of the time.” Instead, try and “bolster your network of friends” with those who don’t have negative mindsets!

 

Diet and Exercise

Not only will trying to lose a couple of extra pounds improve your physical health, but it will also help your mental health!

Why does it feel so great after a work out? The Canadian Mental Health Association states that this occurs because “exercise is a stress reliever” and works to “improve blood flow and floods your body with feel-good chemicals.”

The CMHA recommends easing into exercise slowly. They also suggest beginning your dieting by reducing stimulants such as coffee and black tea and replacing them with water instead.

 

Take a Breath

We all have essays to get done and exams to study for, but taking even a 10-minute break to quiet the mind and breathe will assist you with your mental health and even your grades! The University of Michigan advises students to practice meditation, mindfulness, and prayer in order to “improve your state of mind and outlook on life.”

 

Deborah is an English major and Linguistics minor with a mild Peter Pan complex. She is an avid tea-drinker and shower singer whose favourite pastime is napping. Her goal in life is to one day touch Harry Styles's hair.