Practicing Self Care in College

Brooke Pierpoint, Section Editor

As we head to college, most of us will be entering environments that we are very unfamiliar with. This is an extremely exciting time for us as we will be able to meet new people, experience different weather, and most of all embark on a journey of self discovery as we search for success in the future, for some of us that could be finding a career we feel passionate towards, or finding a partner in which we can share the rest of our lives. However, it can be difficult to find the methods that once contributed to a healthy mind and body during high school, therefore, I hope this article can aid you in your journey towards finding self care options in your new environment. 

 

Mentally

  • Make a self-love cocktail, or at least, that is just what I like to call it. The self-love cocktail is basically a list in my notes app on my phone that consists of actions that allow me to show myself some love. For example, on my list, I have, walking my dog, reading, and bike riding. Make your self-love list easily accessible on your phone, so when you feel down or you need some time for your mind to rejuvenate, head to your list and perform one of those activities to remind you that you need to rest, because there is no benefit to power through your tasks without taking breaks. 
  • Take a ten-minute break. When your emotions begin to feel overwhelming, take a break: walk around, get some water, or go outside. If, after your break, you begin to feel those emotions resurface, take another ten-minute break. Only return to your tasks, when your mind is calm and ready to take on the tasks at hand. These ten minutes can be so helpful that when you return to your work, you could have a whole different outlook and can now finish your tasks without being on the brink of a mental breakdown. 
  • Continue to take time for yourself, whether that means going for a walk, watching Netflix, reading a book, journaling your thoughts, or even taking a break from technology and social media can all have a huge impact on your mental health. 

 

Physically: 

  • Try your best to get enough sleep. It can be difficult to always attain a good night’s rest, but perhaps wake up early the next morning to finish an assignment, when your mind will be more focused and ready. When you force a last-minute study session, this will result in sleep deprivation, which will hinder your ability to focus and perform the next day in class. 
  • Exercise! Try to implement an exercise routine into your day. If you ever intend to work out and never get the chance, write an exact time and day into your planner or calendar where you will set that time for yourself. Research your campus’ gyms or exercise classes, you may find a passion for cycling or hot yoga! 

 

Socially: 

  • Understand that friendships in college will inevitably change. Remember freshman year of high school? Some of those friends that you were so close with are not the people that you hang out with regularly, now. Recognize that your first friends may not be your best friends for the next four years, and that’s okay. Don’t be afraid to branch out and put yourself outside of your comfort zone, as you never know who you will meet and the ways in which they can positively impact your life. 
  • Watch out for peer pressure. At college, most people desire to be liked: never change who you are for someone else. If you feel pressured to go somewhere or do something that you are not comfortable with, the best thing you can do is to leave the situation or take a few deep breaths to remind yourself that you are in control of your actions and reactions; only listen to you and what you want to do. 

 

I hope that this article has given you some insight into some challenges of college. Practice these tools so when difficult situations appear, you have the ability to face them with a calm mind and a positive attitude.

Self-care: Develop a Routine That Works For You.