In between the chaos of life, I’ve been trying to center myself and practice some self-care. If you’re in the same slump as me, this is your sign to: take a second, breathe, and do some self-care.
- Small style changes
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My go-to self-care is painting my nails. If you don’t have a lot of nail polish, you can either get some friends together and have a nail painting night, or hop over to the store to get a nice color. Once you start practicing, painting your nails will become easier and easier, and you’re sure to get lots of compliments! This is a great way to mix up your look and give in to retail therapy without breaking the bank.
- Clean your room
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Everyone needs a clean, organized space to live in, and I promise it will make you feel better when everything is tucked away and tidy. You can even listen to music while cleaning to make it more fun, or get your roommate to work on their side of the room too for some conversation.
- Get moving
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I’m not a very athletic person, but I’ve been going to the gym lately! My brain has been running a mile a minute, so it has been great to zone out and watch a TV show on my phone (no thoughts, head empty). The beauty of going to the gym is that it can be tailored to how you’re feeling or your fitness level. If you have a lot of nervous energy, you can push yourself with a nice run. If you’re feeling a bit down, a walk may work just as well to get your mood up and blood pumping. You can even just sit in the gym and do yoga or meditate. Once it’s warmer out, you can even walk around the battlefields.
- Grab lunch with old friends…
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It can be easy to neglect some of your relationships when life gets busy. Whether you’ve been relying on one of your friends for social interaction, or not getting any at all, it can be beneficial to catch up with people! You can even kill two birds with one stone, and invite them to do one of these self-care tips with you.
- …Or just be alone
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Maybe you haven’t had a moment to yourself in a week and it’s catching up to you. It can be nice to do something by yourself and take time to relax into your natural state and behaviors. With all this stress, maybe you haven’t had a chance to work on that knitting project, play your favorite game, or work on another hobby. Being alone and doing what makes you happy is sometimes needed, and almost everyone’s favorite form of self-care.
- Fuel your body
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Have you been running on no sleep and three cups of coffee? Perhaps now is the time to limit your caffeine intake or switch to something weaker to help you get to sleep at night. While the deadlines continue to pour in, it’s vital to make time for sleep. When I’m in this state, I am not putting out my best work. It may be wise to lose some study time to get much-needed rest. While you’re at it, some water, fruits, and veggies can help balance you out.
- vent to yourself
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I’m the kind of person that posts every single thought I have on my private Snapchat story. There’s something therapeutic about talking about my random problems. I know that a limited number of people watch it, and even fewer reply, so I know my satisfaction doesn’t come from venting to other people. On that note, dumping all your problems on your friends can cause them more stress. It can be helpful to create a folder for videos just for you to vent into. That way, you can talk out your problems, ramble, really anything (without repercussions).
- stimulate your mind
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I am so guilty of focusing all my mental energy on schoolwork. I love to read, but as an English major, I am already reading so much that it’s hard for me to sit down in my free time to read again. Make time for these small brain workouts. Read poetry, do a Wordle puzzle, learn about something new. Reframing your mind (especially regarding education) can help you remember why you are at college and can inspire you to do your classwork.
- Be kind and breathe
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You are one person. You can’t do everything, and sometimes we drop the ball. It’s okay if a ball drops, or if they all drop. You just need to pick them back up and be ready and excited to continue. Relax, and take a breath.
Wishing everyone luck with their self care!