Writing midterms is undeniably a stressful time for all, especially when we have to keep up with readings and assignments on top of studying. It’s definitely easy to get caught up in the stress of school, but I’m here to remind you to practice self-care this season! Taking some “me time” and focusing on self-care is always important.
Here are some self-care tips you can use…
- Splurge on some yummy food
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Eating healthy food during midterm season is important, BUT that is not to say that you can’t splurge on some delicious food. Whether that be junk food to satisfy cravings or food that you usually wouldn’t buy for yourself, remember that food fuels your brain! To help avoid getting frustrated and overwhelmed, take those breaks to eat!
- Watch an episode of your favourite show
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It’s so easy to get caught up in work, to the point where you feel anxious when taking a break, as if you should be constantly studying. However, remember that your brain needs a break too and there’s no shame in watching a show that you love! Personally, I watch Friends when I need a break because it’s a show that I can sit back and not pay much attention to. It’s also nice to take a day to recuperate and watch Netflix after a week of midterms and assignments, but if you can’t afford to take a whole day off, make sure to take smaller and frequent breaks!
- Meditate
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I know that this tip might not be for everyone, but when I get really stressed out or anxious, I use an app called “Headspace” to meditate. On the app, you can choose between two, five and ten minutes of meditation, so it’s really not that time consuming! It helps clear my head and relieve stress, so I use the app before bed to get better sleep, but it can also be used throughout the day if you need a break. I definitely would recommend it if you’re getting really anxious and need to calm down!
- Have a self-care night
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Having a self-care night is always a good idea! This can mean anything from fake tanning to having a bubble bath or putting on a face mask. Basically, it’s the little things that you can do to make yourself feel better by taking some time out of your day to treat yourself. What makes me feel better is cleaning my room, lighting a candle and painting my nails. These are such simple things, but they really make me feel more put together and ready to take on the next task.
- Spend some time with your friends
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This last tip seems kind of simple, but it’s easy to lock yourself in your room or live at the library constantly studying during midterm season. Take some time to relax with your best buds while grabbing a coffee, watching a movie, or even just hanging out. Talking with others about your stress can help relieve some of the tension instead of holding it in or being in your head all the time.
Hopefully these tips remind you to take some time to focus on yourself, since you’ve been working really hard and deserve to treat yourself, even if it’s just to take a bath or eat some chocolate! In all seriousness, midterm season can have a huge impact on your mental health and scheduling in a few minutes of self-care each day can do wonders for your mental health.