Let's Talk About Mental Health

Something I have been seeing more and more of on social media is a positive movement to get people talking about their mental health. I wanted to jump aboard this train, because it is so so so important and I know it is something I always struggle with. I hate feeling like I'm bothering people with my problems, or I can't explain why exactly I'm feeling down or I feel like the reason is too stupid. I wanted to share some tips for those of you who are like me that aren't the usual 'exercise, talk to your GP, be honest with those you love most' (although those are brilliant tips too).

1. Keep a diary. I find it is helpful to write down how I've been feeling, what I've found stressful and how I combatted that stress. This means that I can make connections between life events and emotions and hopefully overcome problems more easily in the future by remembering how I dealt with them in the past. It also doesn't involve other people so you can keep it a bit private without unhealthily bottling up your emotions.
2. Do things that are good for your mental health, but don't use that as an excuse to procrastinate. Taking a bath when you are stressed can be a good idea, but not if you're putting off a time sensitive task (like an essay or report your boss wants by tomorrow morning).
3. Junk food can make you feel better on occasion, but don't allow yourself to have so much that your physical health suffers. It's true that physical and mental health are extremely closely linked.
4. Even if you're very tired or very awake, try to keep your sleep schedule as regular as possible. You'll thank me later.
5. It's okay to cut people out of your life who are toxic to you, no matter who they are.
6. PUT. YOURSELF. FIRST. WHEN. YOU. NEED. TO. Don't ever feel like anything is more important than how you are feeling.
7. And remember, there are plenty of resources available to you. I won't copy in any specifics, but search for them online or ask your doctor.

10 Tips for Studying

Exam season for me is just beginning, but for many of you it is probably well underway. Either way, if you're anything like me you'll take any advice you can get on how to get all the information you need on board! Again, I have uploaded these to YouTube too and you can view that here.

1. Snacking. Snacks are important for motivation and keeping your energy up, but they can also aid your memory as your brain associates different tastes with certain memories. My friend Midge also asked me how to eat crisps quietly in the library, and my advice was to empty them into a tub first because the packet is very loud so if this is a question you'd ask too then there's your answer!
2. Different herbs can be helpful for revision, and if this is something that interests you it may be worth researching it to more depth. However, two that I'm aware of are rosemary and lavender. Ellie-Mae tells me that rosemary helps you turn short term memories into long term memories much quicker and lavender relaxes you and helps you sleep!
3. Set yourself realistic targets. There was an article in the news earlier this year that said A Level students should be doing 7 hours revision a day, but make sure you only do what you can manage. Take plenty of breaks as well. My tutor recently told me I should be doing two sessions of 20-50 minutes of revision a day. That is easy to do.
4. Don't force yourself into a revision task that doesn't work for you. Colourful notes, songs and answering questions worked for me but those things won't necessarily work for everyone! Find out what helps you and do it.
5. Make sure there's a separation between where you work and where you sleep. Do not revise in bed!! You will carry that stress with you and will struggle to get those zzzzzzs.
6. Make sure you are comfortable. If you are in pain, or have something poking you, or are too hot, or too cold, or it's too bright or too loud then you will never be able to focus fully on the task at hand.
7. DO. NOT. CRAM. You won't absorb the information at all effectively and it will just make you unnecessarily stressed. The night/morning before should be spent relaxing as much as you possibly can to get you in the right mind set.
8. Think about WHY what you're learning is important - don't try and memorise all of the facts in the text book, think about which ones will help you answer the questions you may be asked.
9. Teach others. By explaining it to someone else, you will begin to understand it better and also you'll find it easier to put into words when you get those dreaded 'explain your answer' questions. It also helps you with point number 8.
10. Stay Calm. This is easier said than done but it is THE most important thing to remember. Do anything you can, take deep breaths, smell lavender, listen to calming music, drink moulted milk, whatever works for you.

I hope some of these tips will be useful to you, and feel free to comment some of your own as I will take any advice I can get!