College is a time of great change and growth. Often times, college can be an overwhelming and even exhausting experience that can take a toll on our physical, mental and emotional well-being. In a college setting, we can forget to talk about mental health, but we can't neglect the importance of a positive mental state in our college years.

With trends like mindfulness, meditation, yoga and adult coloring making their way into mainstream media, now more than ever before, people are finally realizing the necessity of a positive mind-body connection. Here are some tips for maintaining excellent mental health in college:

Find Your Passions or An Expressive Outlet

It may sound simple, but finding a hobby or a specific thing you are passionate about will give you an outlet for expression. Maybe it’s writing, singing, sewing or whatever, give your time to something that makes you happy.

Give Back

Volunteering is an easy-peasy strategy for maintaining positive mental health while in college. Now in our lives, we will have more free time than ever, so giving back to others is a completely achievable task. Not only will it make you grateful for what you have in your life and allow you to serve a greater cause, but you may even learn something about yourself along the way.

Pause

Take a minute to understand your surroundings. How you are feeling has been proven to lower stress and anxiety levels. Mindfulness, a growing movement, is the act of paying attention to the present moment and your thoughts and feelings in that moment. You can easily practice mindfulness by guided meditation apps or YouTube videos, by driving to class or work with the radio off and noticing your thoughts and feelings, or by taking a deep breath between classes, phone calls and meetings. You can find a great article on mindfulness here.

Give Thanks

It’s a simple way to achieve positive mental health. In a society that is apparently #blessed, we often overlook the simple things to be thankful for: shelter, food, clothing, our education, family, friends. Take a note from "White Christmas" and count your blessings instead of sheep before bed every night. Not only will it help with your sleeping habits, it’ll make you feel more relaxed and at peace as you wind down.

Get Moving

Physical activity is a surefire way to improve our mental state. Say it with me: endorphins are our friends.

Take a Deep Breath and Smile

Again, sounds simple, but smiling and taking deep breaths are instantaneous ways to improve our mental health. Deep breathing and smiling have been scientifically proven to bring positivity into our days.

Surround Yourself with Positive People

You are who you associate with, so choose your friends and the people you spend a majority of your time with wisely. Surround yourself with supportive people who see the best in you, and make you want to become a better individual.

Take Advantage of Your Campus Resources

Nearly all colleges and universities across the country provide some kind of resource center or counseling center. Even if you think you don’t need to talk to someone, do it anyway. Not only is it incredibly cheaper (and sometimes free) in a college setting, but talk therapy provides tons of benefits including a reduction in stress and anxiety. Oh, and going to therapy doesn’t make you a quack or weak. It makes you smart. Good for you for taking some initiative in caring for yourself.

Achieving a positive mental state in college can be challenging at times, but it certainly isn’t impossible. Because after all, during some of the best four years of our lives, we might as well be positive and enjoy it, right?