With midterms and the middle of the semester approaching, everyone I know is getting tired. I decided to write an article about how you should take care of yourself. There aren't enough self-love posts out there that tell you how important it is to put you and your emotional health before anything. If you had a bad week, here are some things you can do to make the next one more tolerable:
1. Set time slots for when you're not working
It's easy to get involved with work, especially if you like it. But don't let it take over your whole life. Take breaks every once in a while. Set time to eat, shower, sleep, spend time with your family, time with your friends, time to watch a movie and eat ice cream, anything that makes you happy. Go grocery shopping. Go get that piercing that you've always wanted. Start watching a new show on your laptop. Anything goes.
2. Start your day off with a meditation
It doesn't even have to be a meditation. If you like that, go ahead. You can go get coffee, start your day off with a shower, eat something you always like to eat, feed your pet if you have one, cuddle with your stuffed animal, go to the gym, literally anything you want.
3. Get enough sleep
I know school is important, but know when you need to set an alarm and wake up early to finish your work so you can get a few hours of sleep. God forbid you wake up in the middle of REM on a day that's super hectic, so download a sleep pattern app that will wake you up whenever it's easier for you, and you'll be less cranky than usual.
4. Write
You can write if you're into it. You'll be surprised at how stress relieving it is. You can say whatever you want and it's judgment-free. Put it away, come back to it later with a clearer mind. Save it for yourself to look at in the future.
5. Don't rush in the morning
It's fine if it takes you a while to get out of bed, it really is. Don't rush yourself, eat and treat yourself right. Don't set an alarm to wake up fifteen minutes before you have to be somewhere. Set it earlier and give yourself time to fully wake up mentally.
6. Music
Music saves lives. I'm not even exaggerating. If you don't have a type of music that speaks to you, you're not listening to the right genre. It doesn't even have to be music. Find something you like to do. Go to a concert, have a movie night, whatever works for you.
7. Put yourself on your schedule
Don't do things that make you uncomfortable. Don't go to a meeting that will interfere with your mental health. Go to bed if you're tired. Pushing yourself when you need a break is only going to make things worse for you.
