It’s the beginning of the new school year at Berkeley. We all know being a Golden Bear can be very fun, but it can also bring on a lot of stress. There’s no better time than now to implement new wellness strategies to help set yourself up for the semester and boost your mental health and wellbeing.
Journaling every day
Journaling is a great way to get your thoughts out on paper. There are different methods to journal writing. Some of my favorite things to write about in a journal are brain dumps, to-do lists, goals of the week and positive affirmations.
Sunshine in the morning
In my opinion, the best way to start the day is getting outside in the Berkeley sun and fresh air. Try spending 10 minutes outside electronic-free. This will also help your circadian rhythm and sleep cycle. Use this time to allow yourself to wake up and enjoy the calm and peace before your day gets too chaotic and stressful. You can also use this time to do some journaling. Two birds, one stone!
No phone for first or last hour of being awake
Use this time to relax, improve your focus and reduce the downfall of doomscrolling. Plus, no screen time is a great way to increase productivity and form a better morning and bedtime routine. Journal, read, do homework if it’s on paper, get ready for the day ahead or a peaceful night’s sleep without the phone.
Make sure to do one thing you love for yourself every day
This may sound silly, but sometimes when you get in the thick of classes, it’s easy to forget that we literally live on a floating rock and there’s more to life than studying and going to classes. Tap into things that add joy to your life, whether that’s working on a craft for 30 minutes, watching a show, getting a matcha at your favorite place, hiking up the Fire Trails or simply enjoying your favorite comfort meal.
One meaningful connection every day
It’s important to have daily social interaction and actually connect with people. You don’t want to be stuck in Main Stacks forever, not seeing daylight or having a conversation for hours. Make an effort to share a meal with friends or roommates, call your family, hang out or do a movie night with friends.
Remember, habits start small. When you change one small thing, you’re on your way to building better habits and setting yourself up for success. Doing small things to help boost your mental health will also help you become a better student and person overall. Good luck this semester and remember to take care of yourself!