“Check in with yourself emotionally through tools like journaling or reflecting on challenges and successes,” Batiste said. “You can prioritize those healthy and supportive relationships through maintaining social connections.”
She added: “Also set your boundaries between rest, school and extracurricular activities. Lastly, you can incorporate practices such as deep breathing, meditation and grounding techniques to promote relaxation.”
Students can further learn about these techniques through free app resources offered by CAPS, including Togetherall and Welltrack Boost. In order to make mental health habits stick, Batiste recommends embedding brief practices, like short walks or deep breathes, into daily routines.
“Keep in mind that what you implement should be sustainable and attainable,” she said. “Starting off too big, too soon could be overwhelming, which is not what we want. The idea is to start slowly, take those baby steps and be realistic about what you’re asking of yourself.”
