6 Tips for a Happy and Healthy Mindset

College is hard.

Ask any student to describe their collegiate experience and certainly this will be a popular response. We are torn between keeping up with vigorous schoolwork, most likely working some sort of job, maintaining a social life and slowly adjusting with growing up more and more as the years pass by.

Personally, I think it is safe to say that all of this is quite a bit to handle mentally. And statistically speaking, I am not alone. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, “One in four young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 have a diagnosable mental illness.” 

Clearly combating for mental stability is an issue with students everywhere. But, mental illness is not terminal. In fact, by following these few simple steps not only attaining but also maintaining a happy and healthy mindset is actually quite simple.

1. Do not rely on others for your happiness.

One of the easiest ways to maintain happiness is through someone else. Whether that is a significant other or just a close friend—too often we search for happiness through the validation of others. Ultimately, this will not lead to true joy. Searching for constant justification and support of our actions only leads to a lower self-confidence in the sense that instead of being confident in your decisions and actions, you are looking towards others to bring you up. Your emotions should be in your own control and no one else’s.

2. Stop complaining.

Complaining is arguably one of humanity’s worst habits. Psychologically speaking, the more something is talked about, the more brain stimulation is going to occur. The best way to overcome any struggle throughout your life is to process it. Think about what your worry is, and why it’s bothering you so much. Furthermore, ask yourself what you can do to fix the problem and how you are going to do so. No problem is going to be solved until you truly want it to be—stop focusing on the negative and strive towards a purely optimistic lifestyle.

3. Take care of your body.

This is one of the most important tips. Treating our bodies the best that we will go a very long way. Eat as clean as possible and do something active everyday. You don’t have to run five miles or spend hours at the gym everyday to at least maintain a fit lifestyle. If you don’t have time for the gym one day, leave your phone at home and go for a 20-minute walk or hike. Taking this time away from distractions allows us to refresh our brains, take a “breather” and move around a little. Nothing beats exercise endorphins and your brain will thank you.

4. Be kind.

From the time we are four years old we are told to be kind. But how often do we really follow this? Being kind means not judging people for how they look or what they do. Being kind means stopping the smallest bit of gossiping. And most importantly, being kind means being able to see the best in everyone. Mastering the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and understand them is a difficult–but beautiful–skill to develop. It will allow you to hold less anger and feel more at ease with any situation.

5. Embrace change & move on.

Living in the past is easy to do, but also unhealthy. In the end, everything truly does happen for a reason. Though it is cliché, everything is going to work out the way it does so that something else can fall into place. Let go of things that no longer hold any significance in your life—animosity is poison. Come to terms with what has happened in your life and move on; leave the past in the past and focus on the future.

6. Live the life that feels good on the inside, not just the one that looks good on the outside.

Because of the way our society is, we constantly feel the need to live our lives a certain way—the same way that everyone else does. But, we only get this one life so do what makes you happy and stop caring what other people will think of it. Don’t be afraid to be different or unique, and most importantly—have a voice. Live a life full of laughter, smiles, dedication and passion and I promise that you will go to bed every night feeling fulfilled.

For anyone struggling with his or her mental health, do not be afraid to seek help. Your illness does not define you, but your strength and courage does.

• Cal Poly health