If you are a college student, you know how hard it can be to take moments out of your day to reclaim your energy when you’re stuck in the midst of stress and deadlines. If you are anything like me, you constantly have women on your Instagram feed showcasing that easy-breezy, self-care lifestyle. Pictures of face masks, bath bombs, and crystal therapy filling up your timeline, while you sit in your twin bed, doubled over with tension from classes. Here’s the thing- no one has the “right” version of self-care. Self-care is 100% all up to you and what you need.
That said, it’s easy to get lost in the idea of what self-care could look like, given the right opportunities. I’m here to help you find ways that you can practice self-care that can also be adjusted to your busy life.
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Find out what your college’s student support services look like
With stress coming at you from every angle imaginable, it’s very hard to find peace within your mind. Behind the stigma that runs deep within the walls of counseling or therapy, there lies a place where you can receive the professional support and guidance that you need. Even though it’s a taboo topic, getting counseling is nothing to feel ashamed of. It’s a gratifying and powerful take-back of what is rightfully yours: a healthy mindset. Don’t be afraid to reach out and take advantage of these services. After all, they’re there to help you!
2. Wash your sheets!
Yes, I know it can be a hassle, but it’s scientifically proven that changing your sheets can help you sleep better. Also, it just generally feels nice to lay on clean sheets. If you have an hour or two between classes, throw your sheets in the wash and let yourself feel extra comfy under the blanket tonight
3. (Try) to get as much sleep as you can
The average adult needs 6-8 hours of sleep a night in order to function best. Is that a stretch considering the amounts of homework we have? Absolutely. But that still doesn’t change the fact that it’s crucial. Any amount of sleep is better than none, though. Allowing your body to get sleep is one of the most self-care practices you can do. Besides from it allowing you to be more rested and ready for the day, getting a good amount of sleep can also help with being more alert during the day, mood boosts, a healthier heart and fighting germs.
4. Drink more water
Another small but simple thing that you can do to take care of your body is to drink more water. It’s asking a lot of you to drink the 8 cups a day that your doctor suggests. However, it’s simple enough to drink 1 cup a day and then working your way towards that goal. Water improves your skin, keeps you energized and makes you more alert. Drinking more water can only benefit you and make your day easier. That said – coffee doesn’t count, so step away from the Dunkin (or in Wells’ case, the Grind).
5. Take a shower
This may sound obvious, but it’s easy to forget basic hygiene when under lots of pressure and stress. Treating yourself to a nice long, hot shower right before you slip into your clean, freshly washed sheets can be a treat. Even if you just let the water run on you, it can be a calming way to say goodnight to the day you had. Aside from it being calming, it can help to relax your muscles. If you play a sport, you know that a shower can be one of the best parts of your day.
We as a society need to wipe away the idea that productivity determines our value. How can we show up and represent ourselves in our best light if we are not taking care of ourselves behind the scenes? Here’s the thing – if we aren’t taking care of ourselves emotionally and physically, we can’t be the best versions of ourselves for our work. Being able to practice these types of self-care, regardless of how small they might be, are crucial to being able to bring your best work to the table. Taking time out of our day’s to take care of ourselves sounds almost selfish – and it’s not! it’s not anything to feel guilty for, and that’s the most important thing to remember.