Valentine’s Day has passed, and some of us got lucky while the rest of us stayed home, binging One Tree Hill and eating a pint of Half Baked ice cream. It’s okay to be sad about not having the perfect Valentine’s Day or spending it alone because, in the long run, none of that matters–only you do. I know it’s hard to embrace being alone and caring about yourself, but self-care is one of the most important things you can do to help embrace all the bad in your life. Self-care includes doing any activity that helps takes care of your mental health to your physical health. Let’s kick those sad Valentine’s Day moods to the curb and try these five self-care activities.
Sleep – DO IT
I always stress that getting more sleep is one of the most important things that you can do for yourself, especially when you’re stressed out by school. Sleep helps us emotionally and physically, and when we don’t get enough, our focus decreases, as does our motivation. Try having decaffeinated tea after 5pm instead of caffeinated or sugary drinks. This helps your brain be more at ease when it is time to go to bed. Also, try not falling asleep to the TV playing. Instead, have white noise sound going in the background to help soothe your thoughts.
It’s Okay to Say No
Saying no to others, especially ones you care about, is really hard. If you’re like me, you’re always trying to please the people around you, and sometimes that means saying yes to things you don’t really want to do. Saying no for yourself is okay. It is okay to be selfish sometimes. Saying no will allow you to create more time for yourself and help manage your stress more efficiently.
Take a Trip
Take a trip either by yourself or with friends. Either way, you are allowing yourself a way to escape from the stress that your typical environment is causing. Your trip could be a weekend getaway, or it can be a drive to a cool landmark. No matter where you decide to go, the trip will allow you to remove yourself and relax. Taking a trip by yourself is always beneficial because it will enable you to have alone time and process everything that you’re stressing about.
Create a Routine
Having a routine will create structure in your life, which can relieve some stress from a chaotic lifestyle. Incorporating exercise into your routine is a great option as well! Exercising boosts your mood and helps reduce stress. While getting to the gym every day is ideal, getting to the gym at least every other day or so is still just as great. Also, try meal prepping or even meal planning. Knowing what you are going to eat helps incorporate healthier foods into your diet. If you wanna take it to the next self-care level, try foods like blueberries, fish, greens, etc.
While alone time is essential, so is being with your friends. Friends bring smiles to our faces and make us laugh until our stomachs hurt. Whether it’s a girls’ night in or going downtown, a night together will help everyone’s mood burst. While school can be stressful and can be time-consuming for you, it might also be for your friends. Taking the time to call a break and go out and do something to get your mind off of everything is the best thing for both of you.