When was the last time you took a break? A good break to calm yourself down from the anxiety running through your blood and the nervous panic attacks of random stressors. With school beginning again this fall semester, it is important to consistently take breaks within your schedule and pick up on healthy habits. It has been proven over and over again that “engaging in self-care activities has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, leading to improved mental well-being.
Initially, learning how to take care of yourself can be challenging. Here are a few easy ways to start:
- Prioritize Sleep and nutrition: Regardless of how much homework you have or how many extracurriculars you are in, try to get around 7-9 hours of sleep each night and eat healthy food. Some tips to do this are to prioritize your time, organize your schedule, and meal prep.
- Yoga/Meditation: Learn how to slow your breathing and live in the moment. Meditation and yoga allow you to control your senses, release stress, and calm your mind. If you need somewhere to start, go to YouTube and select videos that are more appealing to you.
- Exercise: Working out is connected to many components of the body. By exercising you not only can stay fit, but you are also able to increase productivity.
- Spend time with friends and family: Reconnecting yourself in social environments will allow you to develop strong relationships and prioritize important things.
- Cultivate hobbies: pick up on hobbies that you are genuinely interested in. Hobbies will lead us to have joy and fulfillment, whether it’s painting, riding a bike, or learning to play an instrument. It will serve to increase your joy and fulfillment.
As a student, it is very easy to slip into negative habits that degrade our standard of living. However, learning to take care of yourself and commit to healthy habits will not only make you physically strong, but also mentally.