Counselling in practice: Student Mental Health Tips

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week in May we spoke to counselling students for their tips on looking after mental health. Here’s what they said.

Taking that first step to reach out might feel daunting, but it can make all the difference in finding the support you deserve. You don’t have to face it alone.

Put pen to paper

Many of us kept secret diaries as kids, but journaling as an adult can be a powerful tool for gaining clarity and perspective. Writing down your thoughts and feelings regularly not only helps you prioritize your problems and concerns but also enables you to spot patterns and triggers in your emotions and behaviours - both positive and negative.

Putting pen to paper on a regular basis can also help you identify what triggers your different thoughts, emotions and behaviours, both good and bad, which in turn means you can find ways to manage these more effectively in the future.

Small steps, Big Impact

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, taking a quick break to stretch your legs and get some fresh air can work wonders for clearing your mind and gaining a fresh perspective. When feeling worried or anxious, sometimes there’s no better place to turn than to Mother Nature.

Studies have shown that, amongst other health benefits, walking or gently exercising in forests and other green spaces can help to improve mood and reduce levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. Even if it’s raining, put on your trusty mac and wellies, and take a stroll in the country or by the seaside to clear your mind and see things from a new perspective.

Share your problems

In an attempt to protect those around us, perhaps out of fear of being judged, it’s not uncommon to ‘bottle up’ worries or concerns. While it might not bring the solution you need, simply confiding in someone you trust can bring an enormous sense of relief. If this is difficult for you, or there simply isn’t anyone you feel you can talk to, seeing a registered counsellor or other professional therapist might be just what you need to get back on track.

Want to keep the leap into counselling? View our courses > Counselling Courses