Oxford dictionary defines self-care as, “the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.” Many people struggle with their mental health. For some, college can be mentally and physically draining. That is why it is important to implement self-care into daily routines. Read these self-care tips and implement them in your life.
- Maintain connections
Maintaining connections with friends and/or family is an easy way to implement self-care. Since COVID-19, maintaining connections has been increasingly difficult. It is important for your mental health to stay connected with loved ones. It is important to note that it may be difficult to see loved ones in person because of COVID-19 but chatting with someone over the phone or through video chat can boost your mood.
- Take care of your body
Taking care of your body includes eating healthy, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep. First, eating healthy can build self-esteem, improve energy levels, increase brain function, reduce depression symptoms, and boost your mood. Second, exercising regularly can increase memory, self-esteem, sleep and energy. Third, getting enough sleep can increase your health, environment, attitude and lifestyle.
- Take a break from the news and/or social media
It is important for your mental health to take news and/or social media breaks. Taking a news and/or social media break can be as short or as long as needed. Studies show that spending too much time scrolling on social media can increase feelings of stress, anxiety and depression.
- Pamper yourself
Pampering is one of the best ways to implement self-care in daily routines. There are many ways you can pamper yourself. For example, you can experiment with new hair color, try some new makeup and/or skincare, take a spa-style bath, get some sparkling wine, and fancy chocolate. It is important to unwind and pamper yourself.
- Get outdoors
Going outdoors can reduce stress, anxiety and depression and can boost your mood. There are many outdoor activities you can engage in. Going outside includes walking or running, riding a bike, going camping, taking a hike, gardening, meditating, having a picnic and swimming.
- Engage in relaxing activities
There are many mental health benefits when you engage in relaxing activities. For example, engaging in relaxing activities lowers your heart rate, blood pressure and breathing rate. As well as reduces muscle tension, chronic pain and fatigue. Relaxing activities include meditation, listening to soothing music, journaling, taking a bath, drinking hot tea and more.
- Clean and/or organize your room
Many people implement self-care in their lives by cleaning and/or organizing their room. These tasks can help reduce stress, anxiety and depression. This can be a self-care effort in one’s daily life, or it can occur whenever one feels stressed, anxious or depressed.
- Watch a movie or TV show
Watching a movie or TV show can put your mind at ease. Whenever I watch a movie or TV show, I will put my phone away. That way, I am not distracted by my electronic device and can focus on watching the movie or TV show.
- Take breaks when studying
Taking a study break is important for anyone’s mental health, but especially a college student’s mental health. It is easy for college students to feel stressed and/or anxious while studying. There are many ways to take study breaks. For example, stepping outside, cleaning and/or organizing your room, doing laundry, and getting coffee are all ways someone can take a break from studying.
- Say “no” if committing to a request is too taxing and/or your calendar is full
Saying “no” can be hard for many people. I have struggled in this area for many years. It is important for your mental health to say “no” if committing to a request is too taxing and/or your calendar is full. It is important to put your mental health before any strenuous obligations.
