Self-care is so important in college! Between studying, maintain friendships, relationships, and all the above, sometimes we ladies forget to take care of ourselves. This week I am going to list three tips on how to maintain self-care at SU.
Tip 1: Find a Quiet Zone to Decompress
I did not realize how important it is to find a quiet space on campus until I became overwhelmed with college life. Inside of Weber Chapel there is a mediation room called the Horn Mediation Chapel. It is very serene and a great place to reflect. If you are not comfortable with being in a religious setting, then there are a few quiet spots such as the park-style benches at various points
on campus. Quiet spaces are perfect for practicing mindfulness and consciousness. These meditation methods help you to be more self-aware and balanced.
Tip 2: Journaling 101
Everyone hears about journaling as a method of relaxation and it works! Try taking 5 to 10 minutes at the end of the day to journal. As a teenager, my mother would tell me to journal to relieve stress, and I didn’t get serious about journaling until my junior year of high school. I am not always able to journal, but I can say that it has become one of my favorite outlets. It is a great way to “mentally dump” your thoughts on paper. The key to journaling successfully is to remember that the formatting and structure is whatever you want it to be. You can write about anything which helps free up your mental space to be a successful student. When the weather is nice outside, then journaling outdoors is very beneficial for the fresh air and who knows, it could boost your creativity, so pick up a pen and get writing!
Tip 3: Join a Club that You Are Passionate About
I think this one is so valuable and worth mentioning. Although we are in college to gain experience within our chosen fields of study, we can explore our passions. There are over 140 organizations on campus that cater to a variety of interests which means there is a strong chance that something you love will be on the clubs and organization list. I am personally passionate about dance and when I found out that Susquehanna has a Dance Corps to take free classes in a variety of disciplines, I signed up for my favorite classes. I am very fortunate to explore that passion of mine and I encourage you to do the same.
Well that is all I have on self-care, but that does not limit it to just these three tips! Self-care is anything that benefits you and makes you feel good about yourself. Taking time for self is so crucial to physical and mental well-being because then you can operate at your highest capacity. Happy Spring Break and take some “me time”, you won’t regret it.