As the semester gets back into swing, so do busy schedules and the stress that come with them. Messy hair, acne, dark eyes and sleep depravation… the stress begins to take a toll on us physically, emotionally and mentally. But when it comes to the weekend, here are some ways you can #TreatYoSelf to give yourself the care you deserve!
1. Give your skin a little love.
Chances are you usually don’t have time to do a full, 10-step Korean skincare routine every night. Unfortunately, from the cold weather on campus and lack of sleep, our skin can definitely take a hit. Take the time to care for your skin! Use your favorite exfoliator, do a face mask (TJMaxx sells packs of sheet masks for as low as $6) and let your skin recover from all of the wear and tear. Your skin will thank you!
2. Clean your room. . . all of it.
While cleaning your room is definitely not everyone’s first idea of “treating yourself,” it can actually help you feel like you have your life together. Throughout the week, you may find yourself throwing things in random places; laundry all over the bed, various cups and water bottles on your desk… it’s not cute. When you finally have the chance, clean it up! Throw away the empty coffee cups, make your bed and vacuum. Do whatever needs to be done to let yourself finally feel at peace in your own bedroom.
3. Have a sleepover with your best friends.
Some weeks can be emotionally demanding, and you don’t realize it until you have a moment to breathe. Call up a couple of your best friends, brew your favorite teas and talk about it! Negative energy is not something you need kept inside for long, and the best way to get rid of it is by surrounding yourself with positive people who care about you. Both you and your friends will benefit from a much needed vent session and some laughs.
4. Watch your favorite childhood movies.
This one never fails to bring a smile to our faces. Whether its your favorite Disney Channel Original Movie (Hello, Cheetah Girls!) or the Bring It On movies, reciting the words to their cheesy scripts and doing all of the choreography will make you feel like nothing has changed. If only we could be 8 years old without responsibilities again.
5. Try out a new recipe.
Ever heard of the term “stress baking?” Studies have shown that baking can actually be a great coping mechanism for stress. Find yourself a new recipe on Pinterest, or find your favorite chocolate chip cookie dough and bake your heart out! You will have plenty of treats to snack on for the next busy week to come.
6. Get some exercise.
For many people, working out can get pushed aside when the work week calls for hours of studying, late work shifts and midnight deadlines. So when we do have time, why not relieve some stress in the form of exercise? While the idea of working out may not sound fun, there is nothing like the feeling of getting off of the treadmill after pushing yourself to your limits. Take an hour out of your day and head to the nearest fitness center, or, if the weather isn’t awful, go for a run outside! Don’t forget to invite a workout buddy along so you can both benefit from a good workout.
7. Go shopping!
Finally, a self-care tip we can all enjoy. You know that thing you’ve been eyeing for so long but couldn’t bring yourself to buy because you don’t “need it?” Go get it! As long as you can still pay your bills for the month, treat yourself to whatever your heart desires from Target’s unbelievably cute home decor selection. (Guilty!) Retail therapy, while not always the best option (see: Confessions of a Shopaholic), can give you some temporary excitement and happiness from your newest purchase. So take a trip to your favorite retailer and just buy it!