Been seeing a lot on #chemtwitter regarding mental health, especially among grad students, and wanted to share some thoughts that I haven't seen represented much.

#AcademicTwitter #AcademicChatter #phdchat #phdlife #phdadvice
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Many discuss the benefits of therapy, medication (when needed), and a positive working environment.

These are all important! I know firsthand because I have benefited from them. But I also think people should not discount the value of exercise and healthy eating as well
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When I started getting my life together in grad school, in addition to therapy, I started working out and eating better. I lost a good deal of weight. This made me more confident, which translated to improved confidence in the lab and when presenting/interviewing
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Pushing myself when in the gym, running, or on the bike helped me clear my mind and focus on the task at hand. Also, it built my self esteem to set goals for myself and then achieve them. E.g. I am 70 mi shy of my 2020 mi goal on the bike in the year 2020, and I feel great.
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Eating well, and cutting out the junk food also led to an overall better mental state. It also taught me more discipline, which has translated to other parts of life as well.

Overall, getting help and finding yourself a supportive work environment are very important.
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But don't discount exercise and a healthy diet. It may take some time, but it will truly help manage the stress and other negative emotions that tend to accompany grad school. Best of luck to all the grad students out there!

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cc #RealTimeChem @RealTimeChem