It has been widely reported that 75% of young people who experience a mental health problem aren’t always getting the help they need.
Emotional wellbeing is just as important as physical health – in fact, the two are interlinked. We too often overlook our mental health when it should be at the top of our agenda to improve our outlook, mood and confidence. Good mental health and mental health awareness helps young people to develop into resilient, well-rounded, healthy adults.
Here, we share some top tips for ensuring optimum health and wellbeing for Sixth Form students.
1. Make a ‘To do’ list
We all know that school or college is a busy time, and that young people are under more pressure than ever to perform and do well in Sixth Form exams, including A Levels and the IB Diploma. The competition for university places has never been fiercer. It’s easy to very quickly feel overwhelmed by a mounting workload, whilst juggling university applications and interviews at the same time.
Research shows that making lists of tasks to complete can help restore a feeling of order and balance. Take each essay or assignment one at a time by working out a realistic schedule. Your schedule might change on a daily basis – that’s no problem, just make sure to set time aside at the start or end of every day to re-prioritise your tasks. Tick them off as you go and you’ll be amazed at how quickly you whittle down your list.
2. Get active
It’s easy to spend hours in front of a computer screen or at your school desk and before you know it, the day has disappeared!
Make time for exercise in your daily plan to improve your mental health. It is recommended that the average adult should do between 75 and 150 minutes of exercise every week, including moderate intensity exercise (walking, hiking or riding a bike) or more vigorous activities (running, swimming, aerobics or skipping). Any activity that raises your heart rate, makes you breathe faster and makes you feel warmer counts towards your exercise. It’s also an easy way to release endorphins to make you feel happier and more positive in your life.
3. Say ‘yes’ to friends
School and college is a fantastic place to meet new people from your local coommunity and even from all over the world. Socialising with friends and new acquaintances is an excellent way to take your mind off the more stressful aspects of your life, such as schoolwork, and sometimes actually discussing an issue at school or college problem with your friends can make it seem a lot less daunting!
Say yes to your friends more often. Go out and enjoy as many social activities as you can to achieve a healthier work-life balance – from sports, to the cinema or bowling, shopping or just catching up over a coffee. The possibilities are endless!
4. Take up a new hobby
At Westbourne, we believe It’s important for our Sixth Form students to take part in a range of indoor and outdoor based extra-curricular activities to finesse their skills, meet new people, and let off steam away from the pressures of school. We offer a diverse range of extra-curricular trips and activities to help students discover new talents and passions. The CAS programme in particular as part of the IB Diploma really supports this element of learning and exploration.
Seize opportunities that come your way to explore new hobbies. Challenging yourself is an exciting way to feel energized and invigorated – and the process of learning a new skill is extremely rewarding as well as helping your mental health.
5. Explore the great outdoors
Nature goes hand-in-hand with wellbeing, happiness and good mental health. Getting outside for at least 30 minutes every day can have a tangibly positive impact on your mental health. It’s also a great way to explore and get to know the local area, especially if you are a boarding student who has chosen to study in another country.
Westbourne, in the pretty seaside town of Penarth, is surrounded by beautiful coastline and countryside offering space to explore and relax, whether this be with friends or taking some time for yourself. And if you really need the bright city lights, Wales’ capital city, Cardiff, is only a short train ride away.
If you are struggling with your mental health, it is vital that you access the right support. There are a number of free national services offering around-the-clock advice and support. Leading UK charity, Mind, wants to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem to know their options and the routes available to them. Their website is an excellent resource offering guidance on your next steps, including mental health services that may be open to you locally.