• Switch up your physical exercise routine: Try mixing different types of physical exercise into your routine. Opt for the stairs, try lifting weights, practice some new yoga poses, or get outdoors and work on developing your green thumb. Do not forget to include active rest days!

• Try breathing exercises: By purposefully deepening our inhales and increasing the length of our exhales, we help to balance the central nervous system. Try out some simple breathing exercises designed to help you feel more grounded and awake. Check out this post about box breathing!

• Practice mindfulness and meditation: When we take time to focus on the present moment, we can let go of stress and increase our awareness of how we are really feeling. If you find that you struggle with meditation or are not sure how to do it, try some simple guided meditations on YouTube! There are a lot of different types of meditation and it takes time to get the hang of them, so try out a few and see what works for you.

• Maintain a good sleep routine: Maximize the quality of your sleep and help to boost your mental agility and capacity during the day, by purposefully winding down. Lower the lights early, limit evening caffeine and alcohol, and build in time for an evening meditation or gentle mindful movement. Try to avoid your phone and TV close to your bedtime.

• Don’t ignore the brain/stomach connection: Psychiatrist, professional chef, and nutrition specialist Uma Naidoo has stated that “The food you eat can have just as profound an effect on your brain and your mental health as the drugs prescribed by your doctor. The reason: Your gut and your brain are in constant communication with each other.” Try not to eat late in the evening, and make an effort to eat healthy food. Reducing your meat intake can also help! Meal prepping is a great way to help you stay on track with healthy eating plans.

• Practice active recovery for your mind and body: Take a break. The power of pausing is significant, it is an excellent way to discover the benefits of silence and stillness. Sometimes, you need to shut off to keep going. This can be especially relevant when you are trying to study for exams! You might feel like you do not have time or you are behind, but taking a break can help you be more efficient and avoid burnout.

• Plan your self-care: Sometimes, with a busy class schedule, it can be difficult to fit in time for yourself. Get a calendar and schedule in some me-time. You will be more likely to stick with the routine and the benefits will show!

How do YOU improve your mental fitness?

Let us know in the comments below! 👇🏼💬

Written by: Kevin Cahill

Instagram: @kevincahill1994

Instagram: @mindsetmattersmagazine

Snapchat: kevc1994

@Kevin Cahill

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