Hacking Your Brain for Student Wellness & Well-being - Part 2: Mental Health

Succeeding in high school and beyond, whether you’re heading to college or university, requires some serious mental resilience. It’s not something you’re born with, but rather something you build through everyday habits and practices—kind of like how muscles get stronger at the gym (minus the sweat, of course).

In this second part of our three-part series, we’ll dive into some easy and effective ways to keep your mental health in check as you tackle those everyday student challenges.

#1 - Build Connections and Communicate

Get social

Let’s face it: humans are social creatures. Socializing doesn’t just feel good; it’s essential for our minds—like coffee for your morning routine! When you interact with others, you open yourself up to new ideas and ways of thinking, and it can help you cope with tough emotions, whether it's a failed test or a bad day. On the flip side, too much alone time can lead to feelings of loneliness and stress.

Keep in mind that balance is key, so this is not a free pass to spend all your time on Instagram and Tik Tok! For advice on how to balance your time on social media, check out these tips.

Join a community

Find your tribe! Your brain loves familiarity and thrives on shared interests. Being part of a community helps you build connections and provides a solid support system. If you’re into gaming, music, or even debating, there are groups out there just waiting for you to jump in!

In today’s digital world, it’s super easy to find local and international communities online. If you're not part of one yet, take the plunge—now’s the time to find your people!

Don’t hesitate to ask for help

We’ve come a long way as humans—working together for bigger goals has always been our jam. Don’t forget how effective asking for help can be! Your classmates, teachers, family, and friends are usually more than willing to lend a hand.

Making a network of support isn’t just about getting academic help; it’s about having people who understand your journey and challenges. Start with family and friends, but also consider finding a mentor who can guide you through this exciting (but sometimes overwhelming) transition to higher education.

#2 - Find Your balance

Let’s be real: one of the biggest challenges students face is figuring out how to juggle school and life. Imagine doing only things you don’t enjoy day after day. Yikes! Achieving balance is key to keeping your sanity while excelling academically and enjoying life outside the classroom.

A “balanced life” is by no means clearly defined and will vary from person to person. That’s why it’s up to YOU to determine what a “balanced life” means to you. Although they don’t necessarily teach methods for finding a balance in school, there are strategies that can help. For example, “the wheel of life” is an exercise that requires you to list all the different aspects of your life to which you dedicate time. This could include school, family time, socializing, leisure, etc. You’ll then list all the activities involved for each aspect (so, for school, you could list attending class, completing homework, studying for exams, etc.). This is a powerful tool because it allows you to visualize where you spend your time. You can then ask yourself questions such as: where do I spend most of my time? What do I like about my current life balance? What do I wish was different? What are some changes I can make over time?

Keep in mind that your life balance will change over time, depending on your values and

circumstances. For example, you may have started university and realized that your passion for

activism has grown. Therefore, you’re likely to change your time commitments elsewhere to dedicate more time to activism. It’s worthwhile to periodically perform this exercise to re-evaluate your balance, especially as your values and circumstances change.

#3 - Self-care

You can't pour from an empty cup

Let’s kick things off with a truth bomb: if you’re running on empty, you won’t be able to give much to yourself or anyone else. Think of self-care as your personal roadmap to a vibrant life—one where you’re both physically and mentally charged up to take on the world. This proactive approach to your well-being isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for anyone looking to thrive, especially students like you diving into higher education.

So, we’ve chatted about the magic formula for self-care: regular exercise, a balanced diet, and a consistent sleep schedule—the holy trinity of feeling fantastic. These are the building blocks that will set you up for success, especially during those hectic school years. Sure, everyone has their off days, but the goal here is to make self-care a part of your daily routine until it feels as usual as scrolling through your phone.

Want to really commit? Try jotting down your self-care goals! Writing them out can be a powerful way to affirm your dedication. Plus, sharing these goals with a trusted friend can totally help keep you accountable and maybe even turn into a fun challenge between you two!

Breathe

Alright, picture this: you’re in the middle of a stressful exam, your heart's racing, and your brain's buzzing like a bee on caffeine. Sound familiar? That’s your sympathetic nervous system cranking up the pressure. The good news? You’re in control of your breath, which means you can hit pause on all that chaos.

Breathing is your secret weapon! When you focus on deep breathing, you can activate your parasympathetic nervous system, the chill "rest and digest" mode. Here’s a quick exercise: inhale deeply for 4 seconds (one… two… three… four…) and exhale for 4 seconds (one… two… three… four…). Do this a few times for about 2 minutes, and feel the calm wash over you.

Pro tip: Close your eyes! This simple move can help clear your mind from the overload of visual distractions.

Be positive

Are you seeing the glass as half-empty or half-full? This classic saying hits deep because it shows just how much your mindset can impact your life. Sure, everyone has their ups and downs, but how you respond to those feelings can shape your experiences.

Try focusing more on the good stuff and let go of the not-so-great moments! Developing an “abundance mindset” is like leveling up in a game—you can learn this skill with practice. A fun way to get started? Keep a gratitude journal! Just jot down three things you’re grateful for at the start or end of each day. It’s a simple yet powerful way to shift your outlook and appreciate the little things.

Don't forget!

Remember, it’s the everyday actions you take that shape your overall well-being. Your mental state today is a reflection of the habits you’ve built over time. So, take a moment to evaluate your current habits—what’s working? What’s not? Consider what changes you can make to help your mind shine even brighter.

Get ready for the final installment of this three-part series, where we'll dive into some killer productivity hacks to help you crush your academic and personal goals without burning out. Stay tuned!