Your Guide to a More Mindful Fall

By: Laila Westcott

As the fall semester gains momentum and college students begin to dive more into our courses, the importance of mental health becomes more relevant. Between dealing with exams, extracurriculars, assignments and often living away from home, having good mental health is important for success. In the modern age of technology, many technological wellness methods can help us students figure out these mental health challenges. After this blog, you as a college student should be able to take control of your mental health by using digital therapy options, mindfulness apps, or balancing life and work. 

Digital Therapy Options for JMU Students

James Madison University (JMU) provides its students with an easily accessible virtual therapy option for free. This option is called Timely Care, where students wouldn’t need insurance or have to speak with the JMU Counseling Center. Timely Care provides students with Health Coaching, peer-to-peer support, guided self-care content, psychiatry, and 24/7 on-demand access to a mental health professional at any time. Students have access to these services 365 days a year when enrolled at JMU. 

Students can sign up using their student email address at https://timelycare.com/jmu. 

Mindfulness Apps

Nowadays since most college students are glued to their devices, it only makes sense that you use that device to improve your mental health. An app I've used personally and think works well is the Calm app. This app provides many breathing exercises, guided meditations, and sleep stories that can help you decompress after a long day of classes and extracurriculars. Even if you only want to use it for a few minutes between classes or before you go to sleep, Calm offers specific options to fit your schedule.

Students can find this app at https://www.calm.com/. 

 Strategies to Balance Mental Health and School Pressures

When you have many school pressures, adopting practical strategies can help you prevent being overwhelmed and stressed. Here are two simple methods to have a healthy balance between your mental health and academics this fall semester:

• Prioritize Self-Care:

  • It's so easy to forget about yourself when dealing with schoolwork and assignments. Take that time out of your day to spend time with friends, exercise or just lay down and listen to music. These small things can easily help recharge you and give you mental clarity. 

• Practice Saying No:

  • Being in college many social events and activities are going on and you can get that fear of missing out. It's ultimately important to know you have limits. It’s ok to say no every once and a while to focus on your studies or decompress from long days. This can help you not burn out and overwhelm yourself.

As you continue to manage your fall semester, know that your mental health is always more important than any assignment or extracurricular. Incorporating these simple strategies, virtual tools, and mindfulness practices you can create a productive routine and maintain a healthy mental. Enjoy the rest of your semester!