If you’re reading this article, that probably means that you’re just finishing up or are already finished with your first midterms of the semester — way to go! After all of your hard work, you deserve at least one day to refresh your body and mind. It’s tough to take time off for yourself, so allow me to assist you in your journey of academic and mental rejuvenation! Although some of these options may seem a bit simple and small, it’s easy to forget to focus on your mental and physical wellbeing when cramming for exams in college. It may seem silly to have to “force” yourself to be taken care of, but it’s nice to have a reminder every once in a while. With that being said, here are five ways to treat yourself post-midterm season!
- Have a spa day
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Chances are, you probably won’t be able to have a super fancy spa day similar to the one pictured above, but that shouldn’t stop you from partaking in a “stay-at-home” spa day. Invite your friends to go out and buy some cheap facemasks, nail polish, etc. and take the day to focus on you. You know what they say — if you look good, you feel good!
- Host a movie night
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If you’re not a huge fan of the self-care spa day idea, another good option to relieve stress is to host a movie night. Shoot your friends a text, build a fort, pop some popcorn and throw on some of your favorite movies! There’s nothing better to take your mind off of stress and frustration than a quality movie night.
- Go out to eat
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This option might not seem very “out there” or creative, but a lot of times it can be tough to remember to feed yourself frequently in college. Take the time to go to your favorite restaurant(s) alone or with friends and family and order your favorite meal!
- Do some cooking or baking
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Now, this option is quite similar to the previous choice, but it’s good to recognize when you can afford to go out — and when you’d rather stay in. Baking is a really fun and relaxing way to eat your favorite meals without having to pay as much money as you would going out to eat! Plus, there’s something really fulfilling about making your own food.
- Sleep!
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Similar to eating, it may seem obvious that you should be getting a decent amount of sleep — but realistically speaking, there’s not enough time in the day to do all of your coursework, study and sleep a recommended 8-10 hours. Now that you’re finished with at least some of your studying, take this free time to catch some Z’s.
Overall, it can be really hard to focus on yourself and your wellbeing in college. Students have a huge balancing act of finishing homework, studying, working, and enjoying themselves and their experiences in college. A lot of the time, it’s hard not to get caught up in the large amount of school and work and end up losing yourself completely. Although these five options aren’t the toughest things to do in your everyday life, it can be hard to find the time to complete some of them and have fun doing it. Now that the small ideas of self-care have been stirring in your brain, try to figure out what makes you happy and what can relieve some stress during your upcoming semesters! Take the time now to focus on yourself, because no matter what degree you end up getting, you’ll always be the same you.