Coming back to my second semester of college has been harder than I expected. Being homesick, social drama, a heavy course load and my anxious nature have really taken a toll on not only my mental health, but my physical health too. Many do not realize that when the mind is in a constant state of stress the physical state can suffer as well. It may seem just like a cold causing head splitting headaches or stomach aches, but if life has you down it may be a reaction to stressful mind patterns. Yet, often after realizing this, the knee jerk reaction might be to stress about your stress. At that point, it's time to take a step back. To break this cycle, it's time for a little self-care.
It's been a long time myth that self-care means to give yourself one big break from everything and tune out all responsibilities. As college students, we all know procrastinating will lead only to more stress, and that self-care will be useless. The first step is to evaluate what needs to be done. Do not think about deadlines just yet, but write down everything that must be done; then next to them, write due dates and organize the list into what must be done first. At this point, it is time for a decision about how much time you have to take care of yourself. Even if it is just a minute or two every hour try, find something that will take the weight off your shoulders. If you are under a tight time crunch, try meditating for a minute or making yourself your favorite tea. During these short breaks try to focus on nothing else but what you are currently doing. If you are in one of those frenzied attempts to do five projects before the end of the night and cannot afford even the tiniest of breaks, set yourself up with mood boosting tools. Play a little non-lyrical music in the background, use peppermint essential oils to keep the mind awake or sit in a sunny spot if possible. Just because you have a shorter amount of time does not mean the stress cannot be avoided. While longer times may allow for self-care steps such as taking a nap, doing a mini house cleaning or playing with a pet, it is important to keep in mind that the longer you procrastinate the more stress you will feel. It is also an option to work as hard and long as possible and give yourself longer breaks for self-care at the end or between long shifts.
Whatever method you decide is best to fit within a busy college schedule it is important to remember that stress is temporary. If it is homework or social drama it will pass. While it may seem like the end of the world at the time it is only a few minutes, a few hours or a few weeks. In the long run of your life this will seem like nothing. So take ease in the fact that the good times will return and all this will seem like it never even happened.
