Summer is right around the corner and some are either already out in the sun, on their couch, or still crunching away studying for finals. Although a break can be fun, it is still important to look after your mental health. Your mental health is crucial to tell how you interact with others and how you respond to certain situations. By stressing out your brain, it can lead to physical costs as well. With your free time this summer, even if you have summer work or if you are traveling, try little ways to regain your balance. The exhausting school year has your brain fried and this summer is the perfect way to regain some of your strength that was lost by the late nights. Here are just a few little ways you can get started that you should get into the habit of.

1. Talk to people you trust.

At school, you are inevitably surrounded by people you do not trust. There are people who annoy you, make you angry and even make you upset. This long overdue break is your way to surround yourself with people you trust. With them, you can talk about subjects that you care about and you are able to rid your mind of the stress school has caused you.

2. Set realistic goals for yourself.

Throughout the entire year, you have probably complained how you have procrastinated and it was the worst mistake ever. Finishing an entire project on Dante's Inferno in one night is probably not a realistic goal, but simple goals are just what you need this summer. Simple actions such as reading ten pages from a book each day during the summer or making a schedule for your day. As much as summer is supposed to be free and open, it is also important for you to take control of your life.

3. Try new things.

It is hard to believe that for most of the year, you spend studying and attending school. If you are someone who does not have a lot of free time on their hands, take this summer as an opportunity to try something new. It can be visiting somewhere new or just exploring around your city. This sense of new will have a positive affect of how you view different perspectives. It does not have to extravagant, but just enough where you enjoy yourself.

4. Try to be healthy.

Queue the groans. Being healthy is not everyone's favorite past time or characteristic. I am also guilty of hiding from the sight of vegetables, but a healthy diet is a healthy lifestyle. Try a new diet. This does not mean switch all of your foods for organic ones, but put a hiatus on those oily potato chips you love so much and grab a fruit smoothie. Here is a website that gives you all of the recipes that can help you out.

5. Write a journal.

Usually during the summer time, it means you have a lot of down time and time for yourself. Writing small things down can help you out with venting out your feelings. You can start out with "Dear Diary" or jumping right in to the highlights of your day. This can help clear your mind and put your thoughts together. Writing can also help with coming up with new ideas and can help find yourself.

6. Meditate and relax.

Whether it is just laying on your bed and closing your eyes, it is always important to lay down and concentrate on yourself. Meditating is also another alternative. Sitting down and closing your eyes while opening your sense is a nice way to make sure you are improving your mental health.

7. Start a project.

Starting a new project can help you out find a new hobby Whether it is attempting to build a bird house or baking a big cake, starting something will have a positive effect on your life. It will keep you concentrated on a certain task that could also relieve stress. You can always check of Pinterest or even think of a project on your own.

8. Do what makes you happy.

The effectiveness of being happiness is a whole other debate, but in the context of improving your mental health can really benefit you. If you do more of the activities that you love, you will start to have an open mind and you will start improving yourself. With all of this extra time on your hands, it should be easy to slip in a small pick-me-up once in a while.

9. Try to stop complaining.

Complaining always brings negativity in your life. Rather than complaining 24/7 try gutting that out. Try replacing them with nothing find other ways to vent. Staying somewhat positive can help you brighten you day and help you find better ways of improving yourself.

10. Be yourself and no one but yourself.

This one can be an umbrella for a multitude of things. You should start saying "no" to people if they are making you uncomfortable. Start standing up for yourself. Being surrounded by people all of the time cannot be easy, so do not allow anyone to dictate who you should be.