In a bout of immobilizing frustration, I found myself curled up in bed, in a dark dorm room, rubbing my temples in small circles to relieve my oncoming migraine. I started thinking about all of the projects I was organizing for various clubs and internships in addition to my academic workload and personal dramas. In my moment of self-doubt, I ended up calling home, but whenever I grumble about how stressed or unhappy I am, my dad always says, “Sleep the good sleep, eat the good food, play with your friends, and go outside.” I heard these words countless times throughout my life, but I only recently realized that my dad wasn’t just spouting an outdated “back in my day” type of wisdom; he was teaching me how to take care of myself. To my dad, self-care is getting a good night’s sleep, being well-nourished, socializing, and getting enough sunshine and fresh air.
Getting enough sleep seems straightforward, but college students universally and routinely seem to be suffering from sleep deprivation. College students also seem to make less healthy meal-time decisions. To feel your best, you need the right fuel! Eat your veggies, get your protein, and take your vitamins! You need your nourishment to be your best self. You also need to incorporate your friendships into your life! They are there to support you, and your friends need to take care of themselves too! Share some laughs and create some memories to last a lifetime. The last bit of self-care that my dad taught is to spend time in the outdoors. I personally have noticed that if I don’t specifically set aside the time, I hardly spend any time outdoors in the sunshine. In the last few weeks, I have been dedicating about an hour a day where I can study while getting some fresh air and soaking up Vitamin D.
I think that these basic principles of self-care are good for anyone. How you choose to incorporate them can be specific to each individual. You might incorporate face masks, mani-pedis, Netflix marathons, or a favorite snack into your self-care routine but it’s important to remember that self-care isn’t something you do once you’ve reached your breaking point, it’s a lifestyle choice to meet your individual spiritual and physical needs. Self-care isn’t eating a tub of butter pecan ice cream after a rough breakup; it’s the habit of giving yourself more time, energy, and attention.
Your needs as an individual might change over time as well. What you needed in high school might not be what you need in college, so adapt your routine accordingly! Your schedule, commitments, stress-levels, and living arrangements can all change what you need and how you can best satisfy that need. One of the final ways to take care of yourself that may require change is elimination. Sometimes what you need is to eliminate things from your life. It could be a toxic relationship, an unhealthy habit, or a hectic schedule. If you are constantly feeling worn-down, you might be overly committed! There is no shame in admitting when you’ve bitten off more than you can chew. If you are in too may clubs, talk to the President, and explain that you have too many other responsibilities – they might grumble, but they’ll also understand! If you feel overworked with your job or internship, explain to your boss! If they can’t compromise on your responsibilities, then respectfully give your two-week-notice.
Self-care is important to keep you fresh, motivated, and energized. It is essential to routinely incorporate habits and activities that relax you, relieve your stresses, and provide your body with everything it needs to keep running so you can keep up with your hectic schedules!