School is officially back in session and everyone knows it. The sun is setting just a little earlier, there’s a new pair of Beats on every Apple user and you still have all of your pens. Unfortunately, that means your workload is about to pile up and your new planner is probably going to last about as long as your pen collection.
So, self care.
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When asked to explain self care, usually we say things along the lines of bubble baths, essential oils, face masks, yoga, puppy therapy or eating our favourite things. But unfortunately it’s not all about petting puppies and primping.
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So here are some things you might be doing that are just creating more stress.
Prioritizing Fun
I always hear people instructing to slot self care into your schedule so that you can’t say you never have time. The problem is that no 8-9pm bubble bath is going to de-stress you if you’re going to your friend’s party instead of doing your essay. Often, putting yourself first means making the hard choices. Self care means saying no to your friends when you really, really, really want to say yes because you need prioritize other things.
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Spending Money You Don’t Have
We’re broke. It’s a thing. A lot of students don’t have the money they need to live their healthiest lives. But one of the biggest mistakes students make is spending money they don’t have or spending money in the wrong places. It just leads to more stress and if you’re like me then you think, “What’s another $10 on take-out?”
Cheaper self care alternatives? Instead of going to the bar, have a movie night (snacks are cheaper than shots). Instead of buying that new dress (that you have no plans for), DIY some fun stuff from old clothes you never use.
You can also look into the services your school or student union offer you and you might find a way to cut your living expenses. York students can go here for more info about things like a cheaper metro pass.
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Eating Crappy Food and Not Drinking Water
Ramen is crap. I love ramen, but it’s crap. On a scale of 1-10, its nutritional value is -20, but it’s cheap so we all buy it. My diet while living on campus during second year was basically 60 percent ramen, 30 percent fast food and snacks and 10 percent vodka. And I felt awful 100 percent of the time. Eating poorly isn’t good for your physical or mental health and we, as students, need a diet that meets the demands we put on ourselves.
It’s also super easy to forget to drink water, especially when you go to a school that doesn’t sell water bottles. Suggestion? Drink some Gatorade. Buy another drink and refill that bottle with water. Dehydration leads to dizziness, tiredness, bad breath, dry skin and other nasty things. Also remember that juice, pop and other drinks do not hydrate you.
York students can click here or email services@yfs.ca for more info on the Good Food Box. Buy foods that are inexpensive but good for you. Take a multivitamin. Make lunch at home. Cut back on caffeine (seriously → 9 Side Effects of Too Much Caffeine). Take care of yourself.
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Not Getting Enough Sleep
Sleep deprivation is super common among students (I’m sure you need no explanation why), but this is one of the worst things you can do to yourself. It happens to the best of us – we drink too much coffee and procrastinate to the point of a night-before-deadline 4 am near-death experience. The chronic lack of sleep that sneaks up on us during the school year can lead to major problems like irritability, depression, memory issues, a weak immune system and even weight gain.
Self care is not procrastinating. Self care is going to bed on time. Self care is saying “screw that” and calling the Uber so you can sleep in your bed instead of on Cindy’s couch. If you want to know more about the effects of sleep deprivation or why they happen, check it out here.
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Overbooking Yourself
One of the most important parts of self care is knowing your limits. This applies whether you’re a student extraordinaire juggling five classes, four clubs, two jobs and a Youtube channel, or just the average Ferris Bueller trying to skate by on the bare minimum.
As much as it sucks, sometimes self care means saying no or taking a step back from our commitments because they aren’t realistic or healthy for us. You might not believe it or want to let people down but that club will keep running without you. Four years or five years, the price of your degree won’t change. You might even benefit from more time to save up so you can pay off your student debt sooner. And the biggest thing? Cutting back in one area does not mean that you decide to pick up in others. Give yourself space to breathe.
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So think of yourself first. Commit to things you can do and say no to the things you can’t. Get enough sleep and eat foods that make your heart and brain happy. And remember that you can only be your best self when you treat yourself best!
Then after all that, take a nice hot bubble bath (but bring a glass of water ‘cause that stuff dehydrates you).
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