Semester Self-Care
A very important topic that I've wanted to discuss for a while is self care! Self care is a tricky topic, just because it's different for everyone. Some people's version of self care will be going out on a Friday night, and other's will be staying in with a cup of tea and binge-watching Friends. These are just a few of the things that help me unwind and really take care of myself.
SLEEP. --- I know that it's a bit obvious, but if I have less than 8 hours of sleep, I'm grumpy, tired, and easily irritated. I get more work done if I'm well rested, which in turn makes me feel less stressed, and more productive throughout the day. Another tip I have is to not have caffeine after 4 p.m., I know that it's easy to just pour yourself a cup at 5 and get through some work, but you'll thank yourself when you're getting ready for bed and aren't completely wired and awake. I know the amount of sleep that people need to get through a day varies for everyone, but for me a solid 8 hours leaves me refreshed and ready to take on anything the world throws at me.
EXERCISE. --- I haven't been as good this semester about exercising, but it really does do wonders for your health. It's a fantastic way to get rid of your stress and anger and exercising also releases endorphins which make you feel happier, which is always a good thing. You might think you don't have time - but if you just take 30 minutes out of your day to go for a jog, I can promise that it'll give you a boost of energy and you'll be glad you did it.
READ. --- Reading really helps me relax and escape to another world, even if it's just a chapter of my book before bed. It's a nice routine to have, especially before bed because it gives your brain a nice break from scrolling through Instagram, and helps you prepare to go to sleep! I'm currently reading Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman, I watched the beautiful film on the plane ride back home for spring break, and I've been loving the novel as well - would definitely recommend!
GET OUT OF THE HOUSE. --- I know, it's so tempting to spend your entire Sunday afternoon in the house with a cup of tea and the nearly unlimited movie options on Netflix, but get out of the house! Even if you're just going to the shop to grab some fresh fruits and veggies, or going on a beach walk, I can guarantee that a little fresh air will make you feel so much better. So many times I've told myself that going outside won't change my mood - and then as soon as I get outside I am instantly more calm and relaxed. There's something about breathing in fresh air, and reminding yourself that the world exists beyond your room that never fails to make me feel better.
WORK. --- Sometimes, when you have a million assignments that need to get done, you just need to buckle down and head to the library to get some work done - and for me, this is also a form of self care because I feel a million times better after I know that I've made some progress on a project. I'd recommend taking a 10 minute break every hour, even getting up to walk around the library for a bit is so refreshing and it helps you clear your mind. So often, I'll be staring at a bug in my code for an hour, and then when I finally take a break and come back to the problem, I'll have found a way to solve it, just because I'm looking at it a different way!
MEDITATION. --- This is a big one for me, I've just started meditating recently and it has really helped me relax and take some time for myself. The great thing about meditation is that you can practically do it anywhere. All you need is your phone and your headphones - and you're good to go! I have two meditation apps on my phone - but my favorite is Stop, Breathe, & Think (the other is Headspace). I love Stop, Breathe, & Think because you complete a check-in where you list up to five emotions you're feeling at the moment - whether it's stressed, content, or restless, they have several options so that you can describe your exact mood. After you check-in, you're provided with a list of recommended meditations, and you can pick one that you like and get started! I've done meditations in the library, in bed before falling asleep, and on a plane ride - and it has never failed to leave me calmer and happier than I was previously feeling!
These are just a few of the ways that I practice self care, but I'm always curious to know what other people do to wind down and to take some time for themselves! Let me know in the comments what ways you practice self care!
