As the days start to become longer, and we finally wake up to sunlight beaming against our windows, the slightly warmer weather inevitably may encourage many of us to arrange more plans, wake up earlier and stay out later. In addition to the ultimate ending of all Covid restrictions in the UK, our social lives could become busier than ever. Despite this, it remains imperative that we balance this hectic lifestyle with taking time for ourselves.
I teamed up with Milly Struthers, a member of Her Campus at the University of Brighton, to discuss the need to prioritise looking after ourselves, and how this can be easily forgotten as a Uni student. So whether you’re reading this because you’re feeling overwhelmed and anxious at the close of Winter, or you just want to learn to make self-care part of your routine, we’re here to give you a guide with all of our advice.
It can be easy when you’re feeling stressed with University commitments to stay in your room, have a nap and convince yourself you’ll treat yourself to doing work at home instead of going to the library. However, I feel that although I initially feel happier doing this, it begins to wear off and I start to curse myself for not being as productive as I wanted.
This is normal. It’s okay to want to have a break, but instead of scrolling through TikTok, ty embracing the nature surrounding us – it is a great technique to boost our frequencies and feel grateful for the area around us. Even when I’m feeling hungover or just burnt out, if I force myself to leave the house and go for a short 30-minute walk, by the time I return back to my room, I feel so much more optimistic and also in a better mindset for doing Uni work, if that’s what you’re aiming to achieve.
I feel very fortunate to be living in Headingley, as it is just a 5-minute walk away from the beautiful Beckett’s Park, a spot I recommend everyone to go for a walk to if you’re living in Leeds. By listening to a podcast and forgetting the worries and fears for the day I left in my Uni room, my mind feels so much clearer afterwards. Surrounding yourself by nature is a great way to feel more mindful and present when stuck in a rut of social and work activities on a rolling basis. Personally, I love going on walks as it reminds me of being at home, walking my dog with my family in the countryside.
Milly also shares this experience with the seaside. Originally living just 5 minutes away from a beach, Milly chose Brighton to be able to replicate this sense of belonging, as she was able to walk along the beach or explore the woods near her campus. Instead of listening to podcasts like myself, she finds listening to an audiobook on audible helps her to focus on the present and keep a clearer mindset. Committing to going for a walk doesn’t need to become a chore. Try to allocate one day of the week, perhaps a Sunday, to take time for yourself and explore nature, ready to reset for the week ahead.
Although exercise can sometimes feel like the worst activity to do (especially when you can just watch the new episode of ‘Euphoria’ instead!), taking part in gentle exercise can be crucial to returning to a state of mindfulness. Milly regularly undertakes yoga as she feels it is beneficial for both mind and body. By participating in yoga for 10 minutes each day, she has not only improved her posture and health, but felt it rewarding in the sense that these 10 minutes are focussed on solely her, to reduce her tension and stress and align her focus to what is truly important.
Personally, like many others, I’ve always felt slightly intimidated by yoga. I’m not a girl who regularly enjoys going to the gym or feels particularly confident in fitness settings, but I have found a middle ground of taking part in Pilates classes instead. As well as keeping me toned, I feel that Pilates gives me the benefits of going to the gym, but in a more enjoyable way.
I feel that I am exercising without the pressure of having to run on a treadmill for 20 minutes or lift weights that I have no idea how to use. As well as this, this similar rewarding sense makes me feel present, and I feel more motivated to start the tasks I have planned for my day. Although I enjoy Pilates, yoga is a mindfulness exercise I would love to start participating in regularly.
Milly notes how there are many free yoga apps, as well as endless YouTube videos on yoga for beginners and this is a great place to start for those who don’t feel confident in going to a physical class, as this can all be done from the comfort of your own home. This Spring, I would love to incorporate it into my life in order to not only become more flexible and fit but feel a sense of peace and calm when I exercise.
Despite discussing the ways in which we can take time out and look after ourselves, I feel that the most important word to prioritise as a University student is ‘balance’. Especially with restrictions ending, many of our lives are filled with attempting to balance uni work, part-time jobs, societies, meeting course mates, as well as spending time with our housemates. It can be so easy to feel lost and out of control when trying to give equal time to each activity, and this is why prioritising finding a balance is so important.
Both Milly and I found that taking a self-care day/night each week has helped us refocus and feel more confident in balancing the rest of the aspects of our life. Although many of us will feel that just by staying in we are giving ourselves a rest, when pairing this with staying up catching up with our housemates ‘til early hours of the morning, our socialising may be burning us out. By giving ourselves a self-care night just for us, we are rewarding ourselves and giving our brains the chance to reset and recharge, which is deprived of when we are constantly surrounded by others.
On this night, both Milly and I agreed that cleaning your room and changing your bedding can help begin the sense of calm. I am completely of the mindset of ‘Tidy room, tidy mind’ and this will just make you enjoy the surroundings you live in so much more and appreciate everything you have. Pair this with reading a book, watching a series or listening to a podcast: whatever activity you choose, just ensure you’re doing it by yourself, to give yourself a chance to focus on yourself in the present moment.
To conclude this self-care article, I think it is so important to note that you should never deprive yourself of anything at University. Don’t turn down that coffee with a course-mate or social with a society, but instead, when saying yes to other people, also say yes to yourself. When making a new plan, ask yourself ‘when am I going to give back to myself?’ and stick to your commitment.
By attempting to find this balance, you will not only be able to say yes to more opportunities but also learn to love your own company and independence. So as Spring approaches this year, don’t be afraid to just ‘say yes’.
Words by: Holly Harrison
Edited by: Ella Dayer