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Health and Wellness

Back-to-School 2020 Wellness Tips

The return to classes looks a little different this year.

Ali Makinen

Sep 09, 2020

Millennials of New Jersey

Personal Photo

It's that time of year again; the time where we're typically surpassing syllabus week, overjoyed to be back with our friends and settling into a routine in your college town. However, that is not the case for everyone. With many classes being online or at least hybrid, things are far from normal. It's okay to feel overwhelmed.

We're living in a global pandemic, for goodness sake. Masks have become a daily accessory, and there are temperature checks at the entrances of buildings. I laugh at my Snapchat memories from a year ago; that Ali had no idea what was coming.

With all that being said, I would like to share some wellness tips that have kept me sane over the past 6 months.

1. Make time for breakfast each morning.

One bad habit I began to pick up once quarantine began was skipping breakfast. Because I was on a looser sleep and schoolwork schedule than normal, I began to disregard the most important meal of the day. (Which is really a shame, because breakfast food is the absolute best!) I have began to plan out my breakfast the night before, and it has helped me to get more excited about eating in the morning.

2. Buy a plant.

I am telling you, purchasing a plant is one of the most rewarding, yet simple things you can do. It's warming to watch a lifeform that you care for grow before your eyes, even if it's just a baby succulent. Plus, it brings an earthy aura to any room.

3. Pick up a new hobby.

If you've wanted to get into hiking, plan a hiking trip with your roommates this weekend. If you've thought about trying to up your cooking game, start cooking. If you've wanted to spend more time drawing, Now's the time. It's important to have a passion to direct your energy towards, especially as an escape from school.

4. Implement a mindfulness habit.

Whether it's yoga, prayer, meditation, journaling, or the like, implementing mindfulness into your daily routine is a remarkable contributor to good mental health. It can be as small as a morning prayer, or a nightly journal sesh. Whatever you have time for. Taking time to recognize and dwell on your thoughts is crucial.

5. Go to bed early.

Staying up late is so summertime, am I right? Sleep is so underrated. I feel a complete shift in my energy level, which contributes to both my mental and physical well-being, when I get that golden 7-8 hours of sleep. Too much, and I'm a zombie; too little, and I'm also a zombie. Regulating that sleep schedule will be the best thing you've ever done.

6. Get comfortable with nights in.

Don't get me wrong, I'm all for a night out at the bars. However, something about standing around in a hot room inches away from my college peers without a mask in sight gives me bad vibes. A wine night with your roommates, for example, can be just as satisfying, and probably a lot less stressful. Not only is that the safer decision with COVID, but also a great way to recharge your battery after a long week.

7. Don't be too hard on yourself.

When you go through life with an understanding toward yourself, you begin to speak kinder to yourself. When you speak kinder to yourself, you feel better about yourself. Do what you can. As you've probably seen in countless emails, these are truly "unprecedented times".

This can be the fresh start you've been searching for; a time to grow and learn a little bit about yourself. I read in an email from my professor this morning a quote from Emily W. King, Ph.D., "Do not go into this school year with 2019 goals. This is 2020. Have 2020 goals. Safety. Connection. Mental wellness. Physical health. Maintain relationships."

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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Back-to-School 2020 Wellness Tips

The return to classes looks a little different this year.

1. Make time for breakfast each morning.

2. Buy a plant.

3. Pick up a new hobby.

4. Implement a mindfulness habit.

5. Go to bed early.

6. Get comfortable with nights in.

7. Don't be too hard on yourself.

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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