Let’s face it, the 16 weeks that make up a semester can be rough. I know I struggle to keep myself sane, trying to keep up with my course load, extracurriculars, job and social life. It’s almost a given, especially with mid-semester burnout, that I find myself becoming completely overwhelmed. I’ve found that the best way for me to quell the stress that arises throughout the course of the semester is to make sure that I carve out some time for personal pampering. Here are some of the ways that I take care of myself to make it through the semester in one piece.
Get Outside
We’ve all, at some point, heard of the benefits that fresh air and sunshine have for stress relief and mental health. I, like many other college students, tend to spend hours at a time couped up in my room in front of the computer screen chipping away at my schoolwork. Getting outside, even for just a short time, has been an extremely helpful way for me to decompress. I especially love taking my beloved pooch, Autumn, out with me on my outside adventures. Whether it’s for a hike at Lafayette Heritage Trail, a stroll around Lake Ella or Cascades Park or even brief neighborhood walks in my apartment complex, getting outside with Autumn never fails to help me feel better.
Treating Myself to A Massage
A massage is probably my favorite way that I pamper myself throughout the semester. My best friend warned me the first time I got one that I would be a changed woman, and she was 100 percent correct. There’s nothing more relaxing than laying in a dark room for an hour and getting all the tension throughout my body that’s been building up from the stress of the semester out of my system.
Making A Comfort Meal
When I’m feeling especially stressed, it can sometimes be hard for me to have an appetite. Not to mention that when I have work piling up, cooking can seem more like just another task that I have to complete. I do, however, know that nothing lifts my spirits better than a good comfort meal that leaves me feeling full and satisfied. Comfort meals are different for everyone, but my personal favorites that I make to cheer myself up are Shepard’s pie or my YiaYia’s Avgolemono recipe, which is a delicious Greek lemon, chicken and orzo soup. Both are hearty and warm and give me a little piece of home in a bowl.
Nap Time
I consider myself to be a nap girlie, a nap enthusiast if you will. After a long day of classes, or an especially exhausting shift at work, sometimes I just need to curl up in bed and get a good snooze. I often find that taking a good nap gives me that extra burst of energy that I desperately need to get through the rest of the day. Burying myself under my covers, surrounded by a mountain of pillows and cuddling up with my dog is my go-to way of recouping when I’m overwhelmed.
I am a strong proponent of making sure that I prioritize myself and my personal wellness as I navigate the stresses of college. How I choose to practice self-care is deeply personal, as it is subjective from person to person. While these are a few of my favorite ways to decompress, everyone has their favorite ways of making it through the semester.
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