With the semester in full-swing, most of us are starting to feel super overwhelmed. It is super important to make sure you are getting enough sleep even though you are finishing up all of those last-minute papers. You need to remember to practice self-care! Self-care is essential to ensure good mental health on a normal day, nevermind being in a global pandemic. So here are five ways to practice self-care and take a break from all the school work during midterm week.
Try an Online Yoga Class
Sometimes our bodies just need to move when we have been sitting in a chair all day doing homework! I am an Irish Dancer so oftentimes when I am stressed or just need a break I will go to dancing class. I always return to my studies in a better mood because my endorphin levels are increased. I believe that trying an online yoga class is a great way to move and stretch your body at no cost. YouTube has hundreds of videos of all different time ranges. I recommend the videos on the Lululemon channel. You can decide if you want to spend one hour at the local park following the video or five minutes in your dorm just to help break up all the studying. Yoga is known to improve quality of life and even promote sleep quality. It is a win-win no matter what!
Take a Nap
Every once in a while, we all have one of those days where everything seems to be going wrong. Although taking naps all of the time can not be beneficial, an occasional thirty-minute nap can be a powerful way to help clear your mind. You will hopefully wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the rest of your assignments.
Treat Yourself to a Facial
My favorite spot to get a facial is Complexions Beauty Bar in Yonkers, New York. It will cost you not even ten dollars for an uber to get here from campus! The estheticians are all so sweet and the atmosphere is super relaxing. I go to Complexions for my facials, spray tans, and makeup applications. They offer so many other services. You can check this award-winning salon out on Instagram @complexionsbeautybar and their website. The website also has an online booking system which is super easy to navigate. The facial will help make your skin feel rejuvenated, cleansed, and super soft. You will feel so relaxed and ready to tackle the rest of your assignments. It is amazing how just stepping away from all the stress for an hour can really clear your mind!
Listen to Music
You can only read about a certain topic for so long before your brain can simply not process any more of it. It’s super helpful when you are studying to set a timer every thirty minutes and just listen to one song when the timer goes off. If you listen to more than one you will probably get distracted on your phone and find yourself on Instagram instead of finishing your work. I recommend listening to upbeat songs because slower-paced ones will make you tired! I always try to listen to Lewis Capaldi when I am doing my work but I normally just end up not finishing my work. So definitely try something more fast-paced and upbeat!
Eat Well
Last but not least make sure to fuel your body. It is so important that your body has the nutrients so that you can stay on task and focus. A smoothie from a local deli near campus can be a really affordable way to fill your stomach without having to stop to eat a huge dinner. I recommend asking for strawberries, bananas, almond milk, and vanilla yogurt smoothie. It is delicious and super healthy. Fresh fruit and vegetables are also easy snack options to pick up from the dining halls or local stores for a ten-minute walk and study break!
I hope these five self-care activities can be a way for you to take a break from all the schoolwork during the semester! Also, try to remember we are less than ten weeks away from Christmas!