Four Mental Health TIPS That Could Save YOU During AP Season

May.

A month dedicated to bringing awareness to the importance of mental health, and simultaneously testing students on their knowledge of an AP subject.

AP classes are fast paced, and many students find it difficult to keep up with the demanding workload and take care of themselves.

Thankfully, Eastlake’s counseling center is here it help!

Here are some tips straight from the counseling department to give you ideas on how to support your mental health and well-being:

Get more sleep. Easier said than done, but sleep deprivation is harmful to a person’s thinking, and their physical and emotional state. Most young people need eight to nine hours of restful sleep to function at their best. It’s not easy fitting this into a schedule filled with academic, social and recreational activities, but it sure has a big payoff. Try to have as regular a sleep schedule as possible, and you’ll generally find that your “biological clock” will remember when to fall asleep and wake up.

Turn off smart phones. It’s hard, but try to take a break, even for just part of the day. There may be some withdrawal or anxiety about not being right there for what you think is critical, but just stop and think. How many texts, Instagram stories or other digital communications do you need to see immediately? Very few! Once you try it, you may actually find it refreshing to have a break from the constant notifications

Find a Creative Outlet. Choose a creative outlet to convey your thoughts and feelings. This could be journaling, writing poetry, painting or drawing, doing photography, dancing, or playing music. The key here is channeling your emotional state through an art form. While some may choose to do this seriously and take lessons, self-taught artists of all kinds also get the job done. Focus on conveying your thoughts over perfection! Simply immersing yourself in creative arts can ward off adverse thoughts and feelings.

Meet and communicate with friends. Research has found that meeting with peers and talking about what’s going on with you — including past events you’re still processing — prevents burnout and promotes well–being. Group connections are so important for fostering resilience and releasing chemicals in the brain that support well–being. And the activities don’t have to be just talking. Things like doing art projects together, playing with slime, or gaming all work. And despite the pressure to have huge numbers of “friends” or “followers,” it only takes a few special friends to make a big difference in your life.

AP testing week can be stressful, but hopefully these tips motivate and inspire you to practice positive mental health – not just during May, throughout your life.

Take good care of yourselves, Wolves, and good luck with AP testing!