We’re in the height of midterms season, and after that we’ll be in finals mode! So here’s some of HC Georgetown’s suggestions for taking care of your mental and physical health for the rest of the semester!
1. Get off Campus
Georgetown can be a bubble of stress and sometimes the best way to get away from the stress is to change your environment. Go for a walk by the waterfront or take an Uber to a cafe in Downtown. Sometimes you just need to be reminded that there’s a bigger world outside of the front gates in order to put life in perspective, and sometimes you just don’t want to talk about midterms for the thousandth time with someone on Lau 2. Here are some of my favorite places to take friends:
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A Baked Joint: https://abakedjoint.com/
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National Portrait Gallery: http://npg.si.edu/
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TARGET IN COLUMBIA HEIGHTS!
2. Treat Yo Self
Do Tom Haverford and Donna Meagle proud and treat yourself to a pedicure, a haircut, or something as simple as a cupcake at Baked and Wired. Remember that although school wok and school activities are important, so is your body! Take some time out of your intensely busy life to care for the things that make you happy! Here are a few of my go to’s:
Nails: https://www.yelp.com/biz/polished-washington?osq=cheap+nail+salon
Eyebrows: https://www.yelp.com/biz/perfect-eyebrows-washington-2
Hair: https://www.yelp.com/biz/nellos-hair-salon-washington
Sweet Treat: https://bakedandwired.com/ https://www.kungfutea.com/
3. Spend Some Time Alone
The best way to practice self care is through reflection. Sometimes this reflection can be as simple as writing about your day in your journal before bed or taking stock of the things you’re grateful for. Being alone for a few hours and sitting with your thoughts is perfectly normal, and no matter how awkward or lame it may seem at first, it’s necessary. Here are some of my favorite alone time activities:
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Go to the Smithsonians!
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Take a run to the National Mall!
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Head to a cafe to study and journal! I love Peet’s Coffee, La Colombe, and The Bean Counter.
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Go to the Botanic Gardens during the Christmas season!
4. Watch Your Fave Show
Mindless activities are also a good way to decompress and relieve stress after a busy week. Catch up on the new season of your favorite show or watch some classic comedy shows like The Office or Parks and Rec to keep things light hearted and entertaining. Here’s my Netflix suggestions:
For a laugh: Master of None, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
For the the traditional Georgetown student: The Good Wife, The West Wing, The Americans
For a good drama: Sherlock, Mindhunter, Sense8, Black Mirror
For the nerd: Daredevil, Big Mouth, Stranger Things
5. Sleep In
After a particularly crazy week, take Saturday morning to sleep in and forget your responsibilities for a few hours. Turn off the alarm clock for a morning and wake up to your body’s natural wake up call. Even if it means the alarm clock says it’s 12pm, so what? You deserve a lazy morning/day to make sure you’re well rested and ready to take on a weekend of socialization and Sunday Scaries.
6. Decompress
Talk to someone about your life! It can be anyone like a therapist, a friend, your roommate, your parents at home, or a trusted adult on campus. Sometimes you need to get some things off of your chest and the best way to do that is to talk about your feelings! Get in Drake mode and get in touch with your feels. Here are some resources at Georgetown:
Chaplains to Talk to: https://campusministry.georgetown.edu/residentialministry
Mental Health Services: https://studenthealth.georgetown.edu/services
Academic Resource Center: https://academicsupport.georgetown.edu/#_ga=2.122859848.2115437191.1509649865-2035833357.1471064282
Health Education Services: https://studenthealth.georgetown.edu/health-promotion/services
7. Eat Your Fave Meal
When you’re feeling particularly stressed, down, or even completely content with life, food is the way to the soul! You don’t have to eat your feelings, but you definitely can eat a nice meal that reminds you of home or is just plain delicious! Here are a few of my suggestions:
Pho 75- Rosslyn, VA- https://www.yelp.com/biz/pho-75-arlington
Falafel Inc- Georgetown- https://www.yelp.com/biz/falafel-inc-washington-9
Ercilia’s Salvadoran Pupusas- Mount Pleasant- https://www.yelp.com/biz/ercilias-restaurant-washington
Buredo- Dupont- https://www.yelp.com/biz/buredo-washington-4
8. Dress Up
Sometimes we have off mornings and need to get a little pep in our step before socializing with friends or going to class. Dress in your favorite outfit, coffee in hand, and eyebrows on fleek, and kill the school day. Or, my favorite alternative is to completely dress down and wear sweats, a sweatshirt, and workout shoes. Be as comfortable as you want or as dressed up, just make sure you feel 100% you! Here’s my outfit essentials:
Go To Workout Pants: https://www.forever21.com/us/shop/Catalog/Product/f21/activewear/2000188504
Go To Fall Sweater: https://www.forever21.com/us/shop/Catalog/Product/f21/sweater/2000233365
Statement Outfit: https://www.forever21.com/us/shop/Catalog/Product/f21/dress_romper/2000260131
9. Call a Friend From Home
If you’re homesick or just want to vent and catch up, call a friend from home! Ask them about their life and take stock of the relationships that are meaningful to you outside of your college bubble! Maintaining relationships with the people you love is healthy for you and a good reminder for them that you care!
10. Make a Playlist
Take care of yourself no matter your mood with music! Curate some playlists that are pertinent to your life right now or the emotions you’ve been going through! Make them as deep or light hearted as possible! Here are some of my recommendations:
A playlist for alt rock lovers: https://open.spotify.com/user/bookwormjocy/playlist/5JRYPQi5N4fzeTyVA4jhAH
A playlist for cafe listening: https://open.spotify.com/user/bookwormjocy/playlist/6ipjDPpjRmDuqn8ZAIDgyB
A playlist for 90s throwbacks: https://open.spotify.com/user/bookwormjocy/playlist/2UBw0Q8J2TgKIQ9jmvmWJF
A playlist for lazy mornings: https://open.spotify.com/user/bookwormjocy/playlist/6Gzt3ucKdjLZtGlFHGVyD1
Remember that taking care of yourself in college is the most important thing you can do!