Take time to prioritize mental, physical and spiritual health

It’s that time of year: the sun sets at 4:45 p.m., Collegeville colors have faded away and due dates that seemed far away in September are right around the corner. It’s normal to be feeling a little off.

As we approach the long Minnesotan winter months, it’s important to advocate for yourself and take care of your mind, body and spirit. Self-care is important—don’t let your mental health go on the backburner. Put a teapot there instead and take some “me time.”

Here at The Record, we’re feeling the same way you are, which is why we’re here to chime in on some things we believe (and experts endorse) will keep you going until Thanksgiving.

One tip to keep some pep in your step when skies are gray is to just keep stepping. According to the Mayo Clinic, physical activity is an important way to maintain a healthy mind and keeping your body moving can ease symptoms of anxiety.

So grab some friends and walk in the Arb, around the streets of St. Joe or visit the exercise facilities on both campuses.

Another way to fight the winter blues is to keep a routine. As the semester winds down and stress winds up, maintaining a schedule in studying, sleeping and socializing can keep mental health on track.

Don’t be afraid to switch the way you prioritize things either. We know statements like, “I stayed up until 3 a.m. doing homework” are popular around here, but that doesn’t make them right. Stay out of glorifying the struggle and do what’s best for you.

Finally, be aware of when your mental health has deteriorated beyond a shift in seasons. Seasonal Affective Disorder is common among adults and can be especially prevalent in college-aged students.

Two of the most important, and underutilized, resources on our campuses are the mental health centers. Both centers are here specifically to help students, so don’t be afraid to schedule an appointment or drop into Walk-In Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m., a time period where students can stop in and talk with mental health professionals.

Self-care is important, but it can only go so far. Sometimes, talking with a professional is the best option. Care is free and everything you tell your mental health professional is kept confidential. You’ve already paid for it, might as well take advantage of the services at your disposal.

Many people on campus have busy schedules, and it can be hard to find time to take care of ourselves. The reason many of us chose to attend college was to invest in our futures. This goes beyond simply obtaining a bachelor’s degree to boost our earning potential because the habits we establish now can last a lifetime.

Take the time to study hard, have fun, take care of your body and maintain your mental health. Establishing healthy boundaries and finding ways to care for your mental wellbeing while counseling and other resources are freely available will pay dividends down the road.

Take care of yourself, CSB/SJU.