Sometimes, what we are told online to do to improve our mental health is idealistic but not realistic, especially for us students. Supporting your mental health doesn’t have to cost anything at all, simple habits can have a big impact.
Here are some affordable ways to look after your mental health.
By taking a walk outside with no headphones or scrolling through your phone can help improve your mood each day.
I find a 20-minute walk without any distractions really lets me refresh and reset particularly if I am having a bad day.
You can leave your phone in your pocket and really take in what is around you. It is a simple form of mindfulness bringing you into the present moment, help reduce your stress levels and clear your head.
Taking a moment to reset your environment, as this can affect your mood more than we realise. Clearing your desk and making a clean space for you to do any work you may have.
Changing your bedsheets, hoover and wiping your room can help improve your mood. One of the best things after tiding your room is just being able to sit and relax after knowing it is all clean.
Things may feel overwhelming mentally, so tidying something physically will help you feel more grounded in control and feel like you have achieved something.
A self-care night is a simple and affordable way to help your mental health too. Allowing yourself to slow down and create some time to do the things we easily disregard when life gets busy.
Self-care can be anything you want it to be. From taking a long shower, washing your hair, exfoliating, putting a face mask or even painting your nails.
Give you self the time to rest without guilt. It is important to still allow yourself the time to chill even in busy periods like exam season.
Spending time alone intentionally can improve our sense of independence and confidence.
Take yourself to your favourite café - there are plenty of great independent ones in Newcastle, and sit an enjoy reading a book or even sit and listen to a podcast.
Being able to enjoy your own company is a great skill to have you will find you gain the confidence to do more alone too!
Try something creative, that could be colouring, drawing, DIY crafts, journaling or even scrapbooking. You don’t have to be good at ‘creative’ things to do them, but they are a way you can express yourself and give your brain a break, especially if you have been doing a lot of overthinking!
Some of these creative activities can be really calming and help you settle. Journaling also is great because you can get all your thoughts out of your head and give them space else where on some paper.
You can improve your mental health by talking with others! One way to do this is by hosting a night with your friends, it doesn’t have to be expensive it could be a film night, card night or even a night making dinner all together.
Spending time with your friends can boot your mood and relieve any stress. By putting a date in your calendars to all meet up gives you something to look forward too, this alone can help boost your mood between now and the date.
It is important to remember you cannot fix everything at once with your mental health, but your wellbeing matters and by doing small and consistent actions over time you can build up and improve it.
It does not need to be expensive to look after your own mental health, even if you just try adding in one new habit at a time. If you are struggling, remember there is always someone you can reach out to.