Students around the country are bombarded with loads of schoolwork. One way to combat the stress in your life is by taking part in what many people call “Self Care Sunday.” Self-care Sunday is taking one day out of your week to refuel and replenish your body to prepare for the mental and physical hardships the rest of the week will bring. With no classes and more downtime, Sunday is the perfect day to dedicate to yourself.
What should I do?
Sunday should be dedicated to reflecting on your well-being and thinking about how you can improve it. Here are some ways you can start.
plan
To start, one can plan for the week. It only takes 5-10 minutes to write down what assignments you have and when they are due. This is an easy way to keep track of everything instead of trying to remember off the top of your head.
cleanse
Cleanse your mind and body! Stop scrolling through social media, get rid of the clutter in your room, organize papers and files, and put your phone away at 8 pm. An essential part of cleansing your body is getting enough sleep. Starting the week off on 7+ hours of sleep will significantly improve your brain power, fatigue, and overall mood. Cleansing your mind and body will help you find balance and focus in your life and can also improve sleep.
journal
Journal! Studies have shown that students who have written down their goals for the rest of the week have a significantly higher chance of accomplishing them than those who don’t. It is essential to keep your goals in mind every day because, without a purpose, there is nothing to achieve and celebrate. Even if the goal is small, the little celebrations are still a key to your success and, ultimately, the bigger picture of what you want to achieve.
nourish
Nourish your body! Eating right is crucial to being able to function the rest of the week. Take this day to drink a ton of water, eat clean, and keep your body moving by being active. Good nutrition habits help to fight off sickness as well as fatigue. Your body and mind will thank you tomorrow when you are fueled for the week.
self-care vs. mental health
Self-care plays a vital role in mental health, especially during the school year when things get stressful. Cleaning your space, journaling, eating right, and getting good sleep can be a way to prepare yourself to handle the high-stress weeks. Engaging in a self-care routine helps decrease anxiety and depression, eliminate stress, increase energy + happiness, and improve the overall quality of life. So, “self-care Sunday” is not clearly the only way to create different healthy and productive habits but is a great way to combat the stress in your life!