Now that we’re four weeks into the spring semester, the excitement of new classes and shopping period has worn off. Some of us are taking midterms, others have paper deadlines coming up soon. Zoom fatigue has started to set in, and the idea of watching another asynchronous lecture sounds miserable.
It’s likely that at one point or another during the semester, you’ve felt stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed (I know I have). When we get caught up in the routine of classes, jobs, internships, etc., it’s easy to forget about taking care of your personal needs. But, we have to remind ourselves to put our own well-being first.
Taking time for self-care is one of the most important things that you can do to maintain your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. In fact, scheduling time to take care of yourself can make you more productive and efficient when working on other things.
So, whether you’re looking for a place to start with self-care because you haven’t really been practicing it, or you’re in need of some new ideas, this list is a great place to start.
Without further ado, here are some ideas on how you can practice self-care:
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Practice meditation – Especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed or anxious, meditation is a good way to regain your focus and ground yourself. There are plenty of videos on YouTube of guided meditations to try, or you can use YouTube to find videos of soothing music to listen to while meditating. Also, the app Insight Timer has thousands of free meditations, talks, and live yoga sessions that you can try out. Not interested in either of these? You don’t need to listen to a video or music in order to meditate. All you need is yourself– simply find a comfortable position (sitting or lying down), close your eyes, and focus on your breathing.
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Get fresh air – When you’re watching Zoom lectures for what seems like an eternity, the walls of whatever room you’re in can be confining. When you get a chance, go outside! Simply going for a quick walk can do wonders for your well-being. One benefit of Zoom is that you can watch lectures from anywhere; so, when the weather gets warmer, head outside for class! Find a table or chair, or even the ground, somewhere that you enjoy and bask in the sun. Fresh air is one of the best ways to eliminate stress.
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Have a mini spa session – Another good way that you can practice self-care is by treating yourself to a spa session. What you do is up to you- all that matters is that you enjoy it. Take a long shower, paint your nails, do a face mask, or do all three! Inviting friends to de-stress with you can make your spa experience even more fun.
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Dance it out – Sometimes, all we need is a way to release all the tension and stress that our bodies have built up. A great way to do this is to throw yourself a dance party. Put on some of your favorite music and have a great time! Don’t know what you want to listen to? Check out this Spotify playlist specifically made to let off steam and make you feel more confident.
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Let your creative side out – It doesn’t matter if you’re good at art or not- finding a creative way to express how you’re feeling can be therapeutic. There are so many different creative outlets to choose from: painting, drawing, singing, writing, and more. Pick whatever sounds the most enjoyable for you, and have an awesome time!
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Take a nap – With everything we have going on, from classes to social life to other responsibilities, it can be easy to push our bodies to exhaustion. When your body tells you that you’re tired, it’s probably right. Sleep is a major factor in our mental and physical well-being. So, if you’re feeling extremely fatigued, take a nap or go to bed early.
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Do a social media cleanse – I don’t mean that you need to deactivate all of your social media accounts! However, sometimes it’s easy to get caught up scrolling through TikTok or Instagram. If you feel like social media is taking too much of your time, or giving you major FOMO, give yourself a break! Log out of your accounts or turn your phone off for however long you need– a couple of hours, a day, a week– whatever feels right for you.
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Try counseling – It’s possible that even though you try to practice self-care, things just aren’t working for you. You may be experiencing more stress or anxiety than you feel like you can handle on your own. Just know that you’re not alone, and feeling these emotions is completely normal. If you feel like you need the help of a professional, consider going to CAPS. Their services are completely free for Brown students. To schedule an appointment, you can go here. CAPS can also help students in finding care off-campus. If you find yourself needing immediate help, call the Urgent Care line at (401) 863-3476. This line is available 24/7. Recognizing that you need some help during a tough time is one of the strongest things you can do.
Have you already tried all of the ideas on this list, or feel like none of them will work for you? That’s totally okay! Self-care is about doing what makes you feel good. Here’s a long list of other self-care activities that you could try.
As we continue with the rest of the spring semester, remember that your wellbeing is important and that you are deserving of self-care. Even fifteen minutes of time for yourself each day can make a huge difference. It is never selfish to take care of yourself.