Self-Care Practices to Get You Through Pre-Break Midterms

The dreaded week before October break has commenced: all the papers you can possibly imagine are due and daunting exams are scheduled for Friday, hours before your drive home. While it may seem overwhelming, there are ways to balance your days, which will ultimately make you more productive. Here are some of my favorite ways to destress: 

1. Take time to read a non-school related book 30 minutes before you go to bed. Not only will this help you sleep better, but it will also help get your mind off of any school work that you’ve been tirelessly working on all night. Give your brain a rest and pick back up tomorrow. 
   
2. Even if it’s for five minutes, take time to do something you genuinely enjoy each day. Whether that’s going to the gym, taking a drive with your friends, or singing a song with your roommate, it’s important to remember to do the little things that make you happy. 
   
3. Grab an ice-filled water bottle as you’re studying. I don’t know why, but drinking ice water makes me feel so much more put together and productive. It’s also important to stay hydrated! 
   
4. Clean your room or do your laundry. Completing simple chores helps you to feel accomplished and motivated to check one more item off your to-do list. 
   
5. Write a letter to a parent or friend. Something I’m so grateful for is the letters my parents take the time to write. Writing to a loved one allows you to feel more connected and supported during these stressful times. 
6. Have a comforting playlist ready to go. Add songs that make you feel nostalgic, happy, and hopeful. Landslide and Soulful Strut are some of mine to name a few. 
   
7. Listen to a podcast. Whether it’s on pop culture, health, or beauty tips, let your brain relax and listen to someone else talk. Hearing the stories, experiences, and tips of others makes you feel like you’re not alone in your day-to-day life. 

While it may seem counterproductive to listen to a podcast or go to the gym while you’re drowning in work, it’s so important to give your mind a well-needed rest so that you can be even more productive when you begin again. Take the time to prioritize you and your mental health – it’s the most important thing you have! 

• #HCMSU #HerCampus #MSU #MentalHealth #Awareness #October #Health
• love
• midterms
• self care