Maintaining mental health is a crucial aspect for students. The heavy workload of college activities, along with various assignments, often leads to stress and anxiety.
Students need to realize the importance of maintaining mental health to stay focused, productive, and capable of facing academic challenges effectively. So, what steps can be taken to sustain mental health amidst the busy academic schedule?
Atikah Dian Rahmawati, a psychologist at the Career and Student Development Unit (CSDU) of the UGM Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB UGM), mentioned seven ways for students to maintain their mental health.
First, engage in activities that match your abilities and interests, and develop hobbies. Spending time on hobbies has been proven effective in managing stress.
“In addition, pursuing hobbies can also sharpen creativity, which helps reduce anxiety and stress,” she explained on Tuesday (Sep. 17).
Second, maintain physical fitness by exercising, getting enough sleep, and eating nutritious and regular meals. These activities can help relieve emotional tension and clear the mind.
Third, recognize your own feelings and express them appropriately. Acknowledging emotions such as anxiety or sadness is part of mental health maintenance without blaming oneself for these feelings.
Fourth, talk about your feelings and complaints with someone you trust. Sharing or talking to someone trustworthy can help lighten the burden and reduce stress.
Fifth, be active in social activities. These activities provide opportunities to build social connections, friendships, and even mutual support.
Sixth, surround yourself with supportive people. A circle of supportive relationships will bring positive energy, which will positively impact mental conditions.
Lastly, understand the difference between things that can be controlled and those that cannot.
Rahmawati mentioned that some things we can control include our thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and words. Meanwhile, the thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and words of others, the outside world, and divine will are beyond our control.
“Realizing that I have done all I can and feeling at peace with it is important,” she explained.
Reporter: FEB UGM/Kurnia Ekaptiningrum
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afif
Photo: Freepik