8 Easy and Effective Mental Health Activities

Whether you’re in high school or college, being a student can take a toll on your mental health. Studying, taking tests, and juggling your social life may keep you from thoroughly enjoying your time in school. Regain your sense of well-being by trying these easy and effective mental health activities today.

1. Go For a Walk

The next time you feel stressed, head outside. Taking a leisurely walk around your neighborhood or campus will immediately decrease your stress. Research shows that being outside reduces symptoms of mental health conditions like anxiety. You don’t need to do anything other than enjoy a stroll to improve your mental well-being.

2. Practice Deep Breathing

If you can’t step away from the source of your stress, put everything on pause. Inhale deeply and exhale slowly. Repeating these types of breaths is a form of meditation that activates your parasympathetic nervous system to calm your racing mind immediately. Regulating your breathing slows your heart rate and will help you focus in moments of intense stress.

3. Color a Picture

Some people meditate better by focusing their attention on an activity that isn’t too demanding. Pick up a coloring book during your next trip to the store or order one online. Filling in each space and using repetitive motions to decorate the page will release your anxiety so you can feel better right away.

4. Raise a Potted Plant

Anyone can find a packet of flower seeds, a bag of potting soil, and an empty pot at a lawn care store. Try planting a few and raising them in your bedroom or dorm room. As long as you water your plant according to the directions on the seed packet, you’ll regain a sense of control that might be missing. Feeling in control makes everything seem more manageable, even a chaotic school schedule.

5. Journal Your Thoughts

Journaling is one of the best mental health activities for students. You’ll vent your frustrations on paper and dismantle the power they hold over your mental health. You can also reflect on your entries to figure out how you study best or your current skills. It’s a way to gain more confidence after struggling with lingering self-doubt caused by anxiety or depression.

6. Bake a Recipe

Baking is another way to feel a sense of control over your life. It’s also a creative outlet that helps many people cope during tough times. Ensure that you have everything you need to complete your upcoming recipe, like a suitably sized pan or decorating tools. No matter what you’ll bake, you’ll love the process as much as the tasty treat.

7. Change Your Routine

Routines can help people and stifle others. If you haven’t had a break in a while, it might be time to switch things up. You’ll gain a sense of freedom that could release you from your stress. Even if you have to go back to the way things were, the temporary break will ease your mind.

8. Watch a Yoga Class

A recent study found that yoga can improve cases of depression by alleviating mental health stressors. The gentle physical movements bring more oxygen to your brain and help you think more clearly. You’ll also banish any pent-up energy that makes your anxiety worse. Watch a class online or attend one on campus to follow along with an instructor.

Try New Mental Health Activities

Anyone can try these mental health activities in high school, college, or other forms of higher education. Consider what’s most challenging to pinpoint a trick for solving it. Venting in a journal, baking cookies, or taking a walk could be all you need to feel more like yourself again.