Sleep has many restorative qualities. But, the most significant problem when you don’t log enough hours per night is that your brain cannot remove toxins that accumulate when you’re awake.
While college is a time when you might live off caffeine, you should stay hydrated with water. It’s another way to help your body flush out toxins from bad food choices, poor sleep, or whatever else you consumed last night.
Healthy fats in nuts, avocados, and fish are essential for brain health. Grab a tuna sandwich, guacamole on your burrito, or a simple peanut butter and jelly sandwich for lunch or dinner.
Besides developing a vitamin D deficiency, which can contribute to depression, spending most of your time inside can hurt your mental wellness. Spending time in nature reduces stress and symptoms of depression.
You should engage in physical activity three to five times weekly. You can incorporate this in your outdoor time with a brisk walk between classes, a bike ride, or yoga on the quad.
Aim to stay present and check in with yourself. When you start to reach your limit or find you’ve accidentally overstretched yourself, take a step back and remember it’s ok to say no.
If you’re taking care of yourself, but it’s still not cutting it, you need to get help. You can take steps to fend off depression, but it isn’t something you can just power your way through.