Recently, I have come to learn what the actual definition of self-care is. Let’s discuss.
Honestly, the past couple of months have been hard for me. Between my grandmother’s passing, stressing about classes, and acknowledging that I am graduating in a couple of months, there has been a lot on my mind recently. So, going into therapy, I thought I knew what self-care was. But now, I have realized that I am entirely wrong.
As a society, we often associate self-care with a trip to the spa, buying a sweet little treat, or taking the day off work or school. This is called pampering yourself. While treating yourself isn’t always bad, the small serotonin boost you get from buying a Starbucks coffee is often short-lived. This lifestyle can also get quite expensive. However, according to my therapist, self-care is the thing that you need to do to prioritize yourself. My therapist also told me that if you don’t prioritize and help yourself, you can’t help or support others. This hit home for me.
However, prioritizing yourself is easier said than done. What does that even look like? While everyone’s needs differ, here are some ways to easily incorporate self-care into your daily routine.
Meditation
Meditation or mindfulness is a practice that involves training the mind to relax and be self-aware. There are many health benefits associated with meditation, including reducing anxiety and depression and improving sleep quality. There are many ways to meditate. I like doing some yoga and using the Calm meditation app before bed. Both activities allow me to control my breathing and be mindful of what is happening in my brain. My therapist has taught me to close my eyes, inhale for four seconds, hold in for four, and then release for four seconds. There is no wrong way to meditate; you can find what works best for you.
Cleaning your Room
I am guilty of not consistently cleaning my room, especially with my dirty dishes. Also, I am in my room most of the time. When it becomes unorganized and scary to look at, things in my life also become unorganized. For me, cleaning can be calming and make you feel organized and accomplished. So, don’t procrastinate on those dishes!
Going Outside
Self-care doesn’t have to take long or be expensive. While going outside may not seem like much, it has proven very beneficial. According to an article by Georgia Tech, going outside for just a few minutes can improve your mental wellness and overall mood. Also, being outside encourages physical activity, which releases endorphins that boost your mood as well. So, what are you waiting for? Go out and enjoy nature!
Embracing your Creative side
Like meditation and going outside, taking up a creative hobby has been proven to improve people’s mental health. It has been shown to lower stress hormones like cortisol and increase serotonin. There are many ways to embrace your creative side, such as crocheting, playing a musical instrument, journaling, etc. However, creativity isn’t for everyone; if it makes you more stressed, then it’s ok to stop and try something else.
Setting goals
Finally, setting goals can be another great way to embrace self-care. Checking things off your to-do list is very satisfying, but frequently, people tend to be overly ambitious and set unrealistic goals. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Creating small individual goals will help you accomplish the big goals you have coming for you, but it does take patience.
It can be challenging to manage your self-care routine as a college student. But it’s important to prioritize self-care because you are important. So, what do you need to do today to help yourself?