If stress had a season, this would be it. And, unfortunately, there is no flu shot equivalent for that sweet spot in the semester before the Thanksgiving break. The planets align and it seems like every class has a paper, a draft, a project or a revision all due at the same time. Oncoming holidays and the general state of the world (ahem, midterms) are also plenty of reasons for distress.
Fear not! You can hold onto your sanity and health, and participate in the popular self-care industry, with no expensive skin masks required.
Self care is not all about skincare or the “treat yo-self” philosophy (although both are great tools.) In stressful times, you have to double back on the basics.
For my non therapized friends, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy has a great system for taking care of your most vital needs: PLEASE. The acronym doesn’t really match the tenets, but goes something like this:
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Treat any illnesses! If a headache, cold or rash hasn’t gone away in a couple of weeks or you’re experiencing troublesome symptoms, get to a doctor. Most if not all campuses have health centers with nurses or doctors on staff. Waiting for something to become a bigger problem only means you’ll be sicker for longer.
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Medicine! Chronic illnesses and mental health issues require daily medications. Don’t forget to take your birth control or get your flu shot (especially the former). If you associate taking your medication with certain daily tasks like brushing your teeth or washing your face, it will become easier to remember. Another great tip is to set an alert on your phone whenever it’s time to take those pills.
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Eat! Getting regular meals is super important for your energy, mood and overall health. Even sneaking in a snack into super busy times can go a long way. Try not to eat junk food when you’re tired or stressed, as it will only worsen the problem.
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Drink! Water is your friend. Coffees, teas, and soda (pop for my Ohio friends) is not substitute for the real stuff. Studies show drinking water helps boost your metabolism, brighten your skin, and help your energy levels. Make a habit of taking a water bottle with you to class.
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Avoid drugs! Everyone needs to relax, I get it. But drinking/smoking away your sorrows during stressful times is not the way to go. Save the fun times for the weekend and make sure to never drink to excess. Ideally, avoiding alcohol and drugs is great for your mental health, but no one expects you to be perfect. Just be smart deciding when and where you decide to imbibe.
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Sleep! One more time for the people in the back: SLEEP. It is the most precious thing and getting enough rest is vital. Being rested and engaged is far preferable to tired and unhappy. Sleep is when your body recharges and heals itself. Good sleep helps physical and mental health. It can even help stave off/fight diseases.
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Exercise! All of your tuition dollars going towards those shiny exercise places are meant to be used by you! Most schools have equipment, classes (like yoga, Pilates, Zumba, spinning, etc.), and intramural sports. Even walking around campus or taking the stairs can release endorphins and dopamine (the happy chemical in your brain).
Don’t forget about your brain. It controls all of the functions of your body. Being nice to your brain and kind to yourself is challenging when you’re stressed. Surrounding yourself with positive friends and family can help you get happy by osmosis. Knowing when to dial back is another great life lesson. Putting all your effort in a low-grade paper and staying up late to get the most perfect grade is not worth sacrificing your sleep or well-being.
Sure, skin masks are nice, but taking care of your skin and ignoring the other organs is like washing your car when the engine is broken, the wheels are flat and there’s no heat. The above tips are totally free and all skincare is an added bonus. If skincare becomes as routine as brushing your teeth, then it will lose its appeal. Taking care of the body you will have for the rest of your life is vastly more important than pimples that will be gone before the next moon cycle. Life in college is a balancing act and learning to balance all of your responsibilities is key.