And so it arrives: the dreaded mid-semester slump. Your classes are no longer new and exciting, everyone around you seems to be coming down with some slightly less severe form of the plague and the sleepless nights studying for midterms are starting to get to you. It seems like nothing will help you at this point and you feel as if you just need to hang on for dear life until finals. Don't worry, this is not the case! I've amassed a list of self-care tips that will make you feel almost as great as you did during syllabus week!
1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
Being under-hydrated can make you feel surprisingly lousy. Even though the days are getting cooler, make sure you're still drinking enough water!
2. Exercise.
I know, the last thing you want to be doing after a long day is heading to the gym, but exercise has too many health benefits to ignore! A few hours in the gym each week will leave you with more energy, a better immune system and you'll feel so much stronger!
3. Cut back on the instant Ramen.
It is so tempting to come home after a long day in the library and make Ramen instead of cooking an actual dinner, but don't do it! It's a trap! Not only does Ramen have zero nutritional value, but it also will not leave you feeling full and you'll most likely be binging potato chips in a few hours. Try to reduce the amount of junk food you're eating. The momentary satisfaction does nothing for you in the long run.
4. Eat fruits and veggies.
In addition to cutting back on the junk food, add more fruits and veggies in to your diet! Your body needs the nutrition to keep running the best that it can. I'm not saying you have to only eat brussel sprouts and spinach, but try trading that bag of chips in for an apple.
5. Stop staying up until three in the morning.
Your 8 a.m. class is going to be even harder to get through when you only got four hours of sleep. Sometimes you can't avoid pulling an all-nighter to finish that paper, but don't make a habit of it! The best way to avoid staying up all night is to stop procrastinating. Also, switch to decaf after two in the afternoon so you aren't over-caffeinated at bedtime.
6. Invest in some aromatherapy.
My aromatherapy diffuser is a life saver. You would be surprised at how well the destressing or increased focus scents work. Give it a try and thank me later.
7. Make an appointment with the Counseling Center.
Counseling isn't only for people struggling with mental illness-- it's for everyone. School is stressful, and the quickly approaching reality of adulthood is even more stressful. Talk to a counselor and they can give you some great advice on how to cope with stress in a healthy way!
8. Go easy on your liver.
It is really tempting after a long and stressful week to hit the bars or a party and drink beer until you don't remember what you're stressed about, but that is a bad road to go down. Not only will you feel even worse the next day, but making a habit out of drinking when you're upset is a slippery slope. I'm not telling you to stay home and be a recluse, but make sure to moderate yourself. You won't regret it in the morning.
9. Spend some quality time with the people you care about.
Have a group dinner with your school crew. Find a weekend to go home and spend time with your family. Spending time with people you love will do wonders for your mood!
10. Wash your hands.
Disease is everywhere on a college campus. Wash your hands often! Carry around some lotion to combat the dryness that comes with the constant hand washing. Catching a cold is often unavoidable, but basic hand washing goes a long way for cold prevention!
11. Breathe.
Sometimes the weeks get away from you and everything seems to go wrong. You've had pizza for dinner the last three nights, you don't remember the last time you ate something green and you're about to pull another all-nighter. Don't worry. Don't beat yourself up. Take a deep breath. Things will get better. You can always try again tomorrow.
Take care of yourself during the crazy times of the semester. Give your immune system all the help you can, don't let the stresses of school overwhelm you and remind yourself that you are only human. Sometimes you need to take a mental (or physical) health day and recover.
