This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Haverford chapter.

Amidst the papers, projects, tests, and overall academic stress, the majority of the time we forgot to take care about the most important thing: ourselves. As a result, our stress levels rise, relationships may begin to fall apart, and our overall happiness is down the drain. Taking good care of yourself whether for just 5 minutes a day or an hour is an important practice to include in your daily routine. Here are a few simple ways to practice self-care:

1. Take a nap

Sleep is one of the most critical parts of any individual’s daily routine. Getting enough sleep, especially during school, is a difficult task. A short, twenty-minute nap is a great way to feel refreshed and ready to take on the rest of the day when you feel a little tired. Don’t forget to set an alarm so you fall asleep for several hours. Try to stick to a thirty-minute nap at most so you’re able to fall asleep at night.

2. Meditate

Whether you’re a college student, a working mother, or a professional athlete, it is my belief that everyone can benefit from meditation, and anyone can meditate. There are many different forms of meditation. Some of my favorite that I recommend are simple breathing exercises and coloring. If you have never meditated before, I recommend asking someone for help who has meditated before for tips and techniques or getting an app or program that helps you work through the beginning steps. An app that I love using is called “Stop, Breathe, and Think.” It is free on the Apple App Store, and a great tool for beginners or those who are more experienced. I also enjoy coloring as a form of meditation. In particular, I enjoy coloring mandalas and other repetitive patterns. Go to your local crafts store or even general store like Target, and you can pick up a book and some coloring utensils and be on your way. It is especially great to listen to some relaxing music while coloring. Give it a whirl and see if it’s for you!

3. Go for a Walk

Enjoy the clean, crisp autumn air by walking around. After sitting in the classroom all day, a great idea for self-care is to strike out on Haverford’s Nature Trail or just down to the duck pond for a walk. You don’t have to power walk, but look around and take in the glorious autumn colors and natural beauty that surrounds us. Take a friend with you to talk and de-stress too! It is a wonderful way to loosen up your muscles a bit and get some Vitamin D from the sunshine.

4. Call a Friend

Be like this kid. He knows what’s up. Seriously, call a friend, relative, or cousin. It’s nice to talk to a familiar voice, especially someone you haven’t talked to in awhile. In addition to catching up on each other’s lives, your relationship with this person will only strengthen as you grow closer to that individual. Even if it is a relative you don’t know very well, I’m sure they will appreciate your effort to reach them and will make their day!

5. Read a Book for Enjoyment

What? Books can be read for fun? How is that even possible? Yes, and try it out! It’s a great way to exercise your mind outside of school work, and give you something else to think about. Try picking up a light read that a friend suggests, or even a book that’s more challenging but still intriguing to you. Whether it’s one hundred pages or just one chapter, reading a book is a fantastic way to de-stress, relax, and take care of yourself.

6. Take a Warm Bubble Bath

If you enjoy baths like this adorable puppy and have access to a bathtub, one simple ways to practice self-care is to take a warm bath. Try adding some bubbles or lighting up a candle or two that emits a relaxing smell. If you don’t have access to a tub or don’t like baths, a warm shower (or cool, depending upon your preference) will work the same magic. Not only will you be squeaky clean and smell great, but you always can wash away all the stress that is building up during the day.

7. Stay Hydrated

Grab a refreshing, ice-cold glass of water and drink it down! Staying hydrated is one of the easiest ways to practice self-care yet drinking water always seems to be something that we forget to do. Carry around a water bottle, and fill it up whenever you see a water fountain. You’re body will be thanking you when you are hydrated for you will feel more energized, wash any yucky toxins out better, and have a smile on your face because you’re not thirsty.

I hope these simple techniques to practice self-care help you relax!

7 Simple Ways to Practice Self-Care