Halloween is around the corner, and we have finished the first month of the Fall quarter. How are you feeling? As a senior, I’m overwhelmed with the amount of work and activities on campus. It feels like there are always things to do, and I can’t figure out how to relax without feeling drained. I just feel tired and sleepy even though I had enough sleep. That’s why it would be best if you took a moment to check on yourself to maintain a healthy relationship and take care of your mental health and well-being. I realized this feeling was not good and had to find a way to fix it. Your girl decided to have a reset button. She prepared a plan for a productive week because committing time to self-care regularly during the school year is essential.
Shake things up with these simple and refreshing self-care ideas and a few daily habit tips I found that can help you prepare for a productive week!
- Wake up early
I admit this is a weakness; my bad habit is that I set too many alarms and end up turning them all off. One helpful solution is that I will put my phone across the room. It forces me to get out of bed to turn it off.
2. Take a morning shower
A morning shower is always the best way to start your day; it leaves me with a refreshing feeling that helps me boost the day. Morning showers can also improve your blood circulation and increase immunity by stimulating your body to make new white blood cells, which help fight off sicknesses. Due to our biological clock, this only significantly takes place during morning showers.
3. Start a skincare routine
Can you believe that I used to not care about skin care at all? I just started to wear sunscreen daily this summer, and am getting used to having a habit of doing my skincare routine daily. And let me tell you, you should do that too! I love it; it gives me time to care for myself, and my skin feels better than ever. Give a moment to embrace your beauty, practice those affirmations, and moisturize that glowy skin.
4. Take a walk
It’s another awesome way to move your body and charge up some energy for the day. Whether you walk to get your favorite coffee/grocery or go from Art Center to Demaray on campus, going for a walk every day might sound ineffective. However, it proves helpful in making yourself more productive and happy, making it an excellent habit to get disciplined. I also found a helpful tip for daily walking from a Reddit user, u/HappyDaysInTheRain; it’s an awareness practice while walking that can help you concentrate and enhance your health.
Do yourself a favor; go for a walk. By yourself. Don’t listen to any music/podcasts. Just meditate while you walk. Think about your life, past, present, and future. If you think of any worthwhile ideas and thoughts, write them down in a note app.
I love walking for many reasons; it’s a great time to reflect and think deeply. Walking in the morning reminds me to reflect on my well-being and is definitely a good way to kick off the day. Additionally, doing yoga can be another option if walking isn’t suitable for your area.
5. Get a coffee
Yes, your girl is addicted to caffeine. If you wake up and lack energy, maybe a cup of coffee can be a booster. It’s a must for me every morning; even though I switch to tea sometimes, I always come back as a coffeeholic. A salted caramel cold brew at Starbucks is my thing right now, despite everyone being wild for pumpkin spice lattes. I just got a Vietnamese coffee phin filter to make coffee at home, which is exciting, and another great one to have every morning. However, it’s also a reminder to take a break from caffeine to maintain good blood pressure and successfully change my habit without causing withdrawal symptoms.
6. Make a healthy breakfast
Don’t skip your breakfast; your girl has learned a hard lesson. Not having enough nutrients and energy to work throughout the day can lead to nausea, dizziness, and even stomach ache in the long term; of course, you don’t want that to happen. Breakfast boosts brain power and enhances your focus; I can feel how having breakfast can improve my productivity and improve my energy levels. Avocado toast with egg or Turkey bacon with lettuce and tomato are my to-go for a quick breakfast; how about you, let me know what’s your favorite breakfast!
7. Make a to-do lists
I always have to remind myself to write everything down and accomplish one thing at a time because my thoughts are always all over the place; a list of things to follow helps me organize my work better and use my time wisely. Planning ahead and keeping it in my planner helps me be less worried about missing things. A lot of my friends are using apps and websites such as Notion to organize things which I find amazing and want to try out. I don’t know if I’m more into writing it down and carrying a planner with me. Depending on your preference, finding something that is small and convenient should be your top priority.
8. Listen to your fav playlists
Whatever the playlist is, find your best jamming songs, podcasts, and motivational speech, then make it a morning list to autoplay to find some inspiration in things you do. And besties, you should check out my girl Taylor’s chilly girl playlist; it’s such a vibe for a calm morning. You know, waking up early, doing your things. Tune in with the feeling of quietness and peace.
9. Light a candle
Light it up, girl. It can be any scent you like, having a candle brighten up your place and set a theme for the scene. The flicker of candlelight produces a lovely ambiance that we cannot deny. If you’re feeling a bit extra, lighting a few more candles around your home can add effect and create a cozy and relaxing atmosphere
10. Get enough sleep
Lastly, you must have enough hours of sleep to maintain your energy. Getting enough sleep is essential for all ages to stay healthy. Even one night of short sleep can affect you the next day. You are more likely to feel sleepy, but you’re also more likely to be in a bad mood and less productive at work. I’m sure we all have been through that feeling of tiredness once in a while.
What do you think? Let me know your favorite things to do in the morning. I hope these ideas can help you shine a light on your week!