With exams and projects and work weighing down the days, it’s natural for anyone to struggle
with finding the time to take a breather. On top of that, graduation is rising just above the
horizon, and every planner now also has to factor that in with job applications and full-time
work schedules. But it’s just as imperative to deal with the stress that comes along with these
and invest in some much-needed self-care. Here are some ways to take a step back from all the
overwhelming workload to be a little kinder to your mental wellbeing:
Small scale travel plans/trips: Take a weekend to get away from the hustle and bustle of campus
life. Make a feasible trip to somewhere that’s close by, and if there’s a friend or family living
there to spend time with that’s even better. If that sounds like too much planning, simply go for
long drives or long walks, sometimes fresh air ends up all one needs to cool down.
Go to places and events: There’s always something fun happening round the corner. It could be
food festivals, concerts, live comedy shows or maybe even poetry readings; there’s bound to be
something out there for everyone. If that seems like too much to research about, there’s always
the option to go back to the basics and watch a movie at random with friends. Which brings us
to the next point.
Time spent with friends: Make laidback plans with friends without going overboard. Most of the
time making plans with friends end up being too elaborate and just adds to the stress of it all.
Sometimes it ends up being abandoned completely much to everyone’s disappointment. So,
keeping it spontaneous and simple helps to get everyone together and destress from real life
burdens. Simply watching a movie, or playing a board game over dinner can do the trick.
Pick up small hobbies: People are always looking for skills to build to navigate the competitive
job market. But they can also use that mindset to focus on their mental health. Taking up newhobbies can go a long way to lighten the weight on one’s shoulders. If painting or writing seem
too difficult to start with, one can always go for reading or sketching. If anyone wants to try
something new, they can look into glass painting or pottery classes. For a lot of people, baking
can feel recreational and refreshing.
At the end of the day, what matters is making time for oneself, in any shape or form. Self-care is
central to success. It helps rejuvenate the mind and makes it just a tad bit easier to tackle
everything all at once. So, for the next few months, as the post-graduation prep gets more
chaotic, try to make time for your comfort and peace as well. It’s a key ingredient to surviving
the extremes of student life.