This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Tulane chapter.
As college students we often get too busy balancing studying and our social lives that we forget to take care of ourselves. I do not mean showering, eating and sleeping. I mean practicing self care as in taking care of your health, both mentally and physically. Whether you have had the best week yet or are struggling to make it to the end of the day each day, here are some tips to keep yourself healthy and at ease.
- Take a break. When I say this I do not mean stop studying and watch some Netflix, I mean take a break that disrupts your routine. Instead of doing homework at Howie-T, do it in the Newcomb or Bruff Quad. Take a walk through Audubon Park. Read a book, maybe you haven’t done that in a while. Call up some friends and meet up for coffee. Do something that you wouldn’t do normally and notice it gives you some head space to reboot and continue working.
- Have worry time. If you are anything like me, a worrier, you will love this. Schedule 10 minutes of you day to just worrying. I like to put on a timer to 10 minutes, sit at my desk and write everything that has me worried down. I do not stop until those 10 minutes are done. After that scheduled time, no more worrying can be done for the rest of the day, the moment has passed and you now have time to focus on what really is important.
- Put your phone away. Our phones today are both our best friends and our enemies. While they let me stay connected to my friends and family that live thousands of miles away, phones also make me more aware about what everyone is doing every minute of the day. Let yourself wander through Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat. Let yourself FaceTime with your brother that lives far away or your friend that lives in Spain. Do this, but also give yourself sometime to disconnect from all of that. I personally have a goal of not looking at my phone after 11:00 PM unless it is necessary. Instead of looking at your phone before going to bed, read a book, talk to your roommate, meditate. Give your self some time to be alone.
- Validate your feelings. It is very easy to suppress what you are feeling especially when there is so much going on in your life. It is sometimes important to take your time to acknowledge what you are feeling and understand that it will soon pass. I do not mean sitting on a chair and feeling sorry for yourself. I mean letting yourself be vulnerable in expressing what you feel and understanding that it is ok. You do not have to talk to anyone, you just have to understand that feelings are there and that they do no control you.
- Clean your room. To have a healthy body and mind you must have a clean living space. Schedule a weekly or maybe biweekly time in which you will solely work on cleaning your room. Make your bed, wash your towels and sheets, vacuum the floor or use a broom! Spray some Lysol anywhere and everywhere just to make your room smell clean. Put your clothes away, wash any dirty dishes you might have. I promise, by the end of it you will not only feel better but accomplished.
These are just 5 tips that might change a bad week into a better one. Remember it is okay not to be okay and if you ever need help do not hesitate to ask. Asking for help is okay. Have a great self-care week!
Resources at Tulane University for Mental Health
- Reach out to CAPS at 504-314-2277 (located in building 14) to schedule an appointment. If you are in need of immediate assistance, walk-in emergency consultations are available during hours of operation.
- To be referred to off campus support services and for help navigating financial barriers to these services, contact Care Coordination at 504-314-2724 or carecoordinator@tulane.edu.
- You can also reach out to Tulane Student Resources & Support Services at 504-314-2160 (located in the LBC, GO2).
- You can call The Line, 504-264-6074, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 800-273-8255, for immediate, confidential support from a trained professional–available 24/7.
- SAPHE, 24/7 confidential peer support and information regarding all issues that surround sexual aggression, is available at 504-654-9543.
If you are worried about a friend (or yourself), you can fill out a form at tulane.edu/concerns, and someone will reach out to them and offer support.