For college students, self-care is absolutely necessary.

Your mental health will go on an insane roller coaster ride during the semester, so it's important to know how to take care of your body physically, emotionally, and mentally/spiritually. However, most self-care articles detail taking long baths, using expensive products, and basically a bunch of stuff that college kids don't have the time or resources to do.

Have you ever seen a dorm with a bathtub? Okay maybe they exist but I never had one. I'll list off my favorite quick and easy self-care tips that I use when my depression/anxiety gets the best of me in a busy semester.

1. Take a stroll outside, if you can.

Honestly, getting fresh air is so important. You don't need to go hiking or be extravagant. Walk to the dining hall instead of taking the bus, do your homework outside, take extra time just walking in between classes to breathe it in. I found this to be an easy way to stop and breathe when I felt like I was drowning.

2. Watch who you let into your life.

My dad always told me to be a thermostat, not a thermometer. But it can be really difficult to do when you're surrounded by people who constantly bring you down. Negativity is contagious, if you're consistently putting yourself in a negative environment then you will be bogged down into other people's unhappiness. Surround yourself with encouraging and positive people. They exist, trust me! I know it's hard to branch out and find new friends but the end result is always worth it.

3. Laugh uncontrollably.

For me, it's the episode of The Office where Dwight has the fake fire and Stanley has a heart attack. The CPR scene makes me bust up every time. Watch funny TV shows or videos on YouTube. Some of my personal favorites are the dad joke competitions, where each person tells a bad joke and the other person tries not to laugh. Also, the video Tiny Hamster's Best Day Ever at Disney World, 10/10 would recommend.

4. Start a bullet journal.

For me, this has helped tremendously. A bullet journal is basically a planner/health tracker/mental de-stressing tool all in one. There are a couple videos on YouTube to help you get started. (Here, here, and here.) Now, those ones on YouTube are really fancy and decorative. They don't have to be that fancy! I'm in no way shape or form a visual artist. Mine is very basic, so don't feel bad if you start out that way! But if you are a visual artist and love drawing, go for it!

5. Clean your room/desk/any space really.

Tidying your space is hard to get yourself to do, but we as humans work better when we feel like we have control over our workspace. When I was in the dorms at Liberty and I felt awful, I would clean my desk inside and out. Even if you're sharing a space, doing something simple like cleaning your makeup table, your bathroom counter, or putting away clean laundry will help get you out of your slump just a bit more.

Now, none of these are full proof. Nothing here will magically cure depression, and if anyone finds that cure, lets me know! But it's all about those little things that can make the biggest difference in our lives. Good luck with the new semester, and I hope that these tips help you not just survive, but thrive in school this year.