Just because the month of May is over, doesn’t mean we should end the conversation. Mental Health Awareness lasts much more than a month, and it starts with you!

In the past month, Sayreville War Memorial has put together a Mental Health Fair during students’ gym periods. There was every kind of booth from aromatherapy to petting an emotional support animal. But you don’t necessarily need a cute dog or lemon scented oil to stay happy and healthy. Here are 5 easy things accessible to many SWMHS students that can improve mental and emotional health.

1- Engage in a school sport:
Sometimes, people just need to let out all that extra energy (and sometimes negativity) into a sport. Surrounding yourself with a team that supports you, has your back, and shares a common interest in the sport helps keep your relationships healthy and balanced. Playing a good baseball game, tennis match, or attending an exciting swim meet also helps bring down stress levels. You’ll forget all about that bad day you had.

2- Surround yourself with people who raise you up, not bring you down:
It’s easy to get caught up in the wrong crowd. While it’s okay to engage with just about any classmate, remember that no one should make you feel like you are at your worst. Unhealthy relationships and bullying cases frequently start as unhealthy friendships. It’s best to surround yourself with people who bring you joy, lift you up, and have your back. Debbie Downers are a big no!

3- Set goals for yourself, and put some of them within reach:
Goals don’t always have to be going off to college or getting your first car. They can also be waking up on time, or finishing your bowl of cereal at breakfast. Goals that are set to be achieved without too much stress can still bring a similar feeling of accomplishment. The more we learn to celebrate even small victories, the more we can work towards the big ones.

4- Sleep! :
As tempting as it is to stay up finishing that English paper or studying for that SAT, our young bodies need sleep. When we sleep for the recommended eight to ten hours a night, our bodies can wake up refreshed in the morning. This can make it easier to get through that morning Calculus class without falling asleep during the last few minutes of first period. (Unless, of course, you’re not a morning person to begin with.)

5- Ask for help:
It is absolutely encouraged to ask your peers or the adults around you for help. Sometimes, things can become a little overwhelming as a high school student, and no one expects you to navigate every aspect of it completely on your own. Other students may be struggling with the same adjustments. Your teachers and administrators have been through it, too. Reaching out can often be the best option for many students struggling with high school’s challenges.

Finding your own way to help yourself can do wonders for your well being. Perhaps you’ll find out you don’t enjoy sports, but your eight hours of sleep make you feel much better the next morning. Whatever you choose to do, do what’s best for you.