Throughout my one and half years of college, I learned something super important. You cannot just go all week without taking a small break. For my first semester, I was literally running myself into a rut. I went to class, went to sorority functions, went to my dorm, did homework and went to sleep just to wake up and repeat those things. On the weekends, I drove back to my hometown to work. So, as you can imagine, I was constantly stressing myself out. But halfway through my second semester, I discovered that I needed to treat myself every now and again. Here are five, easy ways I did just that.
1. Bubble Baths with Music
I try to take at least one bubble bath a week. I just sit in the tub filled with bubbles and not think about school or work for that hour or so. I typically do this on a Thursday night because that night is when my weekend starts. The next day, I have work. This kind of just refreshes me after a week of school and running around trying to get my life in order. I love just sitting there and not having to worry about anything, even if it is just for an hour. I also play music on my Bluetooth speaker. I have a playlist on Spotify that is supposed to be just for my bubble baths.
2. Naps
I know napping in college sounds impossible, but I try to squeeze one in once in a while. I have a break between classes on Tuesday and Thursday, and if all of my work is done, I reward myself with a nap before my next class. You do not need to sleep for hours. A quick thirty-minute nap is more than enough to get your brain in check, and have a better rest of the day. I could not survive without a quick power nap.
3. Netflix By Yourself
I know being around friends is great, but watching Netflix by yourself is amazing. There are no arguments about what to watch, and you can pay full attention to whatever you are watching instead of falling into the gossip your best friend tells you. I watch Netflix right before I go to sleep to kind of unwind after a super long day. Netflix is my go to because it can relax you super quickly.
4. Order a Pizza
I do this way more than a normal person should. I am obsessed with pizza. If I have a bad day, I order pizza to make myself feel better. If I get a good grade on a test, I reward myself with pizza for dinner. Pizza is always a good idea. You can order it, eat what you want and put the rest in your fridge to save it for later. And if you do this by yourself, you don't have to worry about your friends eating it all. You can eat as much as you want, and no one will say anything about it. Pizza is my favorite mood changer.
5. Hanging Out With Friends
I know a lot of my favorite activities include no people and no pants, but sometimes friends can help you feel much better after a long day. They can make you laugh if you have had a rough day, or eat a whole gallon of ice cream with you to celebrate your awesome grade on a test you thought you failed. You can gossip with them, and ask them for advice if needed. Sometimes other peoples' company is the best remedy for a rough day or week.
Treating yourself in college is super important. If you don't treat yourself occasionally, you will always be stressed and upset. College is hard enough. Don't put anymore stress on yourself than absolutely necessary.Treat yourself.
