How do you improve your mental health when you don’t have the time or resources to leave your college campus? The answer might be simpler than you think. There are a lot of activities right on campus that you can do to improve your mental health. Additionally, many colleges are working toward building better community-based mental health care to support their students.

The high stress of academia can be taxing on your mental health, so it’s important to do things to help you relax and reset so you can focus on school. Let’s take a look at some easy, on-campus activities that can boost your mental health and help you thrive in this new environment.

College activities to boost your mental health

It can be a challenge to squeeze everything you want to do into your college schedule. But since the majority of college students have at least one mental health issue, prioritizing your mental health should be important. Here are a few activities you can do on your campus that can improve your mental health:

• Prioritize self-care routines — It’s easy to let self-care get pushed out of your schedule when life gets busy, but self-care is a great way to lower stress and improve your physical and mental health. Self-care can be as simple as prioritizing eating nutritious meals, taking some time to relax from studies and making sure you get enough sleep. While it’s easy to slip out of a healthy routine when you have a big test coming up, you’ll function better if you make sure to take care of your body and mind.
• Join a club — Social connections can lower your risk of mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression, but if you’re new to your college, it can be challenging to meet people. Joining a club is a great way to find people you share an interest with. You can form social connections, and it’s an excuse to get out of your dorm for something other than class. See if your major or department offers a club — it can be a great way to get involved and meet some of your future classmates as well.
• Seek out mental health services — If you’re struggling with your mental health, you may need outside help. Counseling services or other support may be available to you through your university, and the offices are often right on campus. This can be a great resource if you need support while dealing with a mental health disorder. Contact your college to see if they offer mental health services to their students, and don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
• Stay active — Don’t let your homework keep you from getting up and exercising. Aerobic exercise has been proven to help reduce anxiety and depression. So, if you want to give your mental health a boost, try going outside for a walk. Additionally, most colleges and universities have a gym or other workout area that students can use to stay active. Take advantage if you have a gym within walking distance, and go for a workout or try out a new exercise machine. You can even see if they offer group classes and sign up for one so you can get moving while meeting new people.
• Join a support group — If you’re struggling with a specific issue, there may be a student support group for it. You may be able to connect with other people who are going through the same things you are. Contact your university to see if they offer student support groups and how to join them.
• Volunteer for a worthy cause — When you volunteer, that action activates the reward center in your brain, which releases feel-good chemicals such as serotonin, dopamine and endorphins. This can boost your mental health, and it can also help somebody in need at the same time. Try to find a cause or organization you’re passionate about and want to volunteer for. This can be an animal shelter, a soup kitchen or any cause you’re willing to contribute to. 

There are many different ways to get involved with activities on campus and boost your mental health at the same time. Find something you’re genuinely interested in participating in to make it easier to motivate yourself to get involved.

At Lightfully U, we’re here to help you prioritize your mental health as a college student. If you need mental health assistance, reach out to our Admissions Concierge Team. We’ll take the next steps together, toward the fullest, brightest version of you.