Being a college student, your life revolves around academics. Sometimes we get too wound up with studying extra hard or being more involved that we partially, or even completely disregard our own self. We even lose parts of ourselves as well when we get too busy to do things that we love to do. Of course you would want to succeed and excel in your studies but not many people realize that in order to do so, you must feel balanced and healthy yourself first! Here are some ways to start self-care and get yourself feeling delighted, and most importantly, yourself:
1) Plan to have at least an hour to yourself everyday.
As students, we are always on the go and have something to do. We all have some sort of ongoing calendars/planners (hopefully) that we utilize to organize our time. Why not add some “me” time in there? “Me” time is also a very important event that needs to take place daily! Taking at least an hour or so daily to just sit and relax and do your own thing will allow you to breathe and destress. An hour may seem like a lot of time to use up when you are busy, but just remember: you are not a machine, you cannot keep yourself working for hours on end. Treat yo’ self Peer Jacks!
2) Make a list of things you enjoy doing or want to try out!
In the midst of trying to self care myself, I often find myself to be stressed out on what to do. To resolve this counterproductive feeling, make a list! Make a list of things that you enjoy doing or things that you would want to try out. I know we are all on social media one way or another, and oftentimes really cool experiences or activities pop up and we are thinking, “wow this looks so fun.” Add it to your fun-tivities list! By having a list, you can conveniently see the options that you have.
3) Grab a buddy!
Doing things alone can be therapeutic and give you a break from the outside world but if you ever feel like you need to have some accountability in this journey, grab a friend, a roommate, or even your mentor! I am sure that someone else can appreciate the hour or so to just do something non-academic related. Also, a good thing about having a partner during the time is that you guys can help each other stay on track. I know it is hard to get out of the Netflix binging time, but with a partner, we both can hold each other accountable!
Self-care is definitely a tough self initiative concept. I hope these tips gets you started! Good luck and remember that your mental and physical health is most important!