4 Self Care Tips To Incorporate Into Your Daily Routine

Well there you have it, another school year in the books! This academic year was far from normal and the virtual learning environment has tested all of us in many different ways. With this new method of learning, combined with the pandemic and a hectic exam period, I found myself developing unhealthy habits and not prioritizing my mental health which I know many other students can relate to. From staying up incredibly late and working until I fell asleep, to not getting enough exercise and consuming unhealthy foods at times, I found myself becoming extremely burnt out and not practicing the healthy tendencies I once preached. We have all been guilty of saying “I just don’t have enough time for that” and we often use our busyness as an excuse for not making time for ourselves. However, incorporating healthy habits into our daily routine is critical to our mental and physical well-being and will ultimately help to reduce feelings of burnout and overexhaustion.

By allotting time for activities that we value for our mental health, our to-do list for the day should revolve around these vital practices. That is why I have compiled a list of 4 self care tips that I am promising to incorporate into my daily routine, no matter how busy I claim to be. These tips have all been developed in accordance with Columbia University’s suggestions for wellness. It is time to prioritize our mental and physical health and I hope that many of you will do the same by incorporating some of these recommendations into your daily lives!

1. Physical Activity

I cannot stress enough how important any type of exercise is for your mental health! In addition to the tremendous effects exercising can have on your physical health, the Mental Health Foundation’s research shows that working out releases the feel-good chemicals called endorphins in the brain. I personally love to walk and even a 10 minute brisk walk will increase your mental alertness, energy and positive mood! This is a great way to take a break from school, and when you go back to studying you will feel revitalized and ready to tackle more work!

2. Journaling

I have been trying to get into journaling recently and have noticed many benefits to this simple yet effective habit! Reflecting when you first wake up or right before you go to bed is a great way to set goals for yourself and highlight the good and bad parts of your day. If you have feelings of anxiousness or stress, writing down possibilities as to where these feelings are coming from will help to understand them more clearly and may provide clarity as to how to potentially control these behaviours. I personally enjoy writing down the things that I am thankful for as well as what I envision my next day to look like and how it will make me feel! Though I just use a blank notebook, I have heard fantastic things about The Five Minute Journal and I hope to get my hands on one soon! The nice thing about journaling is that you can adjust the time you spend on it based on how busy you are. There is no “right” amount of time required!

3. Take a break during meals

I know I am not the only one who tries to multitask and eat while I work, yet this never ends up working out for me. Sure, having a snack while studying is great, but meals such as lunch and dinner should be treated as an opportunity to have a quick break! Refuelling your body is essential for your mental and physical health and taking time to cook or socialize with others during a meal is a great way to let your brain relax. My student house this past year would devote time to eat all together, and either catch up or watch an episode of a tv show we were all watching!

4. Take time for yourself before bed

I find myself typically working until I go to bed since that is when I am most productive, however this should not be an excuse for not taking some time for myself before I go to sleep. Since I am usually working on my laptop, a combination of the screen and the adrenaline makes it difficult to fall asleep immediately. That is why allowing yourself to have at least 20 minutes of relaxation time before you doze off is a great way to turn off your brain and have something to look forward to! I personally enjoy calling a friend or watching a youtube video, but ideally I also like to read before bed to get some time off my screen.

I hope you are able to incorporate at least one of these tips into your daily routine! Remember health always comes first, so be kind to yourself and make time for YOU!

By Isabella Krizman '23 (Blog Subcommittee Member)

Reference

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/p/physical-health-and-mental-health