Find out how green living, counseling, and even veganism all have the potential to contribute to the cognitive well-being of students.
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Student life at college and university is often one of the busiest but most thrilling phases of one’s life. Studies, examinations, part-time jobs, and pressures from social life mean it is no wonder that mental health is affected. In the UK, historic levels of students are now experiencing anxiety, depression, and signs of burnout.
However, to complement professional help, changes to one’s lifestyle can have a massive impact on emotional health. And staying at university during summer vacation won’t solve the problem!
In the following article, we explain how green living, counseling, and even veganism all have the potential to contribute to the cognitive well-being of students. We will also briefly mention how students can reduce anxiety by availing themselves of help where needed — for instance, through assistance from a unique essay writing service from Canada — without losing integrity or well-being.
Let’s take a closer look at how small, intentional changes can significantly affect your everyday life!
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1. Understanding The Student Mental Health Crisis
There are expectations in student life. Whether it is an expectation to study, pressure to socialise and fit in, or career planning, a student has more than one thing in mind.
Several of the most common issues are:
- Academic pressure: Coursework deadlines, exam deadlines, and unclear expectations from teaching staff
- Isolation: International or first-year students living away from home
- Financial pressures: Increases in living expenses and tuition fees
- Burnout: Attempting to “do it all” with insufficient rest and balance
Student Minds, a British charity, has calculated that in excess of 70% of students report that university affects mental health adversely. No matter how valuable therapy and campus counselling might prove to be, fostering health-conscious and sustainable habits works equally well in fostering long-term resilience.
2. Eco-Living For Calmer Minds
Sustainable living is not only beneficial for the planet — it is beneficial for your mind. Sustainable living will see you slowing down, simplifying your life, and getting in touch with nature. Such mindful living, by the very definition of it, clears the mind.
Eco-friendly living promotes mental well-being as follows:
- Keeping your environment clean decreases distraction and allows you to focus.
- Walking or bicycling makes you active, boosts the endorphins, and reduces carbon emissions instead of using a car.
- Natural foods and the practice of avoiding manmade chemicals ease physical tension and ensure good sleep.
- Plant care or gardening gives one the feeling of control and peace, no matter how small the student’s living space is.
Making sustainability part of your life, even simple acts like recycling water bottles and reducing plastic usage, is a positive cycle — you feel good about yourself because you feel you’re doing something for the betterment of all.
3. Talking Therapy And Its Efficacy
While self-care mechanisms are helpful, sometimes you simply need someone to speak with. That’s when therapy enters the picture. Seeking the help of a professional is not a sign of weakness — it’s one of the strongest, most empowering things you can do.
Counselling and therapy can help with:
- Managing panic and anxiety attacks
- Managing relationship problems or study pressures
- Enhancing sleeping and study patterns
- Processing past experiences or traumas
All British universities have free or low-cost mental health services in the form of campus counselling. Organisations such as YoungMinds and Mind have services which provide counselling by telephone, text, and the internet.
Don’t wait till you are at your wits’ end. Often, just one session will have you feeling heard, cared about, and empowered with strategies to go further.
4. Vegan Diet And Mood: Is There A Relationship
What you consume has direct implications for your mood. Studies have shown that plant-based diets have been known to actually reduce depression and anxiety symptoms in some people. Leafy greens, nuts, oatmeal, and berries all have nutrients within them that support brain health, such as magnesium, omega-3s, and folate.
Here’s why vegan food makes students feel better:
- Fewer inflammatory foods, such as processed meats and mood- and energy-affecting dairy products.
- Improved gut health, now linked to mental health as well because of the gut-brain axis.
- Lighter meals and better digestion lead to better sleep and less fatigue.
- Ethical choices affirm the feeling of purpose and alignment with one’s values more strongly.
All of that being considered, it is extremely necessary to thoroughly prepare yourself for a vegan diet. Make it a point to eat sufficient amounts of protein, iron, B12, and calcium supplements where needed.
If the idea of a vegan diet feels too daunting, embracing a flexitarian diet can have a similar positive impacts.
5. Receiving Academic Help — Without The Guilt
Be real — sometimes essays and deadlines accumulate, and you simply require some downtime. Hiring assistance is not cheating. In truth, learning to delegate or manage your workload is one of the most important skills you will ever have in both your university and working lives.
Of all the students experiencing difficulties with managing time and with burnout, most choose to take advantage of the services of a custom essay service. This service offers custom essays, research support, and editing to serve as study tools.
Here’s how you can utilise academic assistance responsibly:
- Never submit another person’s work as your own.
- Utilise essay services to familiarise yourself with structure, tone, and source formatting.
- Re-read the piece and paraphrase or summarise to put your own words to it.
It’s like having a tutor, with the advantage of an example to follow. You get to know it sooner, worry less, and still figure it out yourself.
6. Creating Your Own Wellbeing Regimen
There is no one-size-fits-all fit for wellbeing. What is appropriate for one student is not appropriate for another. It is about developing a wellbeing routine incorporating both mind, heart, and body-centered activities.
A balanced routine may include:
- Morning walk or yoga to commence the morning with some exercise
- Healthy food loaded with brain-nourishing nutrients
- Weekly journaling sessions or therapy
- Digital detoxes to curb information overload
- Environmental goals like no-waste approaches or reducing fast fashion
- Academic study habit management tools, such as essay templates and Pomodoro timers.
Experiment with fresh habits. With time, you will know what works for you to feel more balanced, motivated, and focused.
Wrapping Up
College is a time of amazing memories, friendships, and growth, but it does come with some very real mental health challenges, too. If you’re finding it tough, you’re certainly not alone.
There are all kinds of ways of looking after your mental health that go far beyond the usual solutions. By going green, attempting therapy, eating healthier vegan food, and recognizing the time to seek assistance — be it from a tutor, friend, or essay writing service — one is doing the right thing.
Give yourself time to discover what your mind and your body need. Implement one change at one time, stay curious, and don’t hesitate to seek assistance. You’re deserving of assistance, and you’re deserving to feel well — not just get through student life, but truly thrive during it!
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