I know, as a college student, there's not much we can do sometimes in taking care of ourselves. However, let's not glorify when we pull all-nighters or forget to eat. I know that I am personally guilty of skipping dinner because I either (a) forget to eat it, (b) can't afford it, or (c) feel so stressed that I don't have time to eat anything or energy to cook anything. This whole "skipping meals" thing is not healthy in any means. If we start to glorify or brag about being sleep deprived and hungry, it does not do any good to our friends or other people who sit there and compare themselves to us. People might think to themselves "Oh, I'm not starving or sleepy enough so my college experience isn't valid" which is so not true! However, if you find yourself glorifying poor self-care as a college student, here are some practical things you can do to get yourself back on track in feeling much better.
1. Drink more water
I know this should be obvious, but simply drinking water will help balance out the enormous caffeine or alcohol intake that college students drink regularly. To make drinking water more fun, check out these fun water bottles on Amazon!
2. Buy pre-made meals
Believe it or not, HEB has pre-constructed meals that you can buy for about $5! Also, if that's not your thing, check out the frozen family meals. Cooking does not have to be as hard as we make it.
3. Go to sleep at least 30 minutes earlier
If you usually crash about 1am, try for 12:30. The quicker we can wind down our brains, the better we can sleep. If you're not sleeping, there are so many health-related problems that can catch up to you. Even if it's just 30 minutes earlier, that is still progress! Your body will thank you later.
4. Take vitamins
I personally use One A Day vitamins, and I love them! Find one that works for you, and stick with it. As college students, we're probably malnourished for the most part, so these vitamins will only help you out!
5. Pack a lunch
Making sure that you're eating is essential and can be done through packing a small lunch or snacks to get you through the day! Don't skimp out on the snacks. Eating throughout the day can give you energy and help to avoid that whole idea where your body thinks you're starving yourself.
6. Find something you enjoy
I know it's crazy, but try to spend at least 20 minutes per day doing something fun! I know that college can be stressful, but we need a break. Play an instrument, read a book, watch a tv show, or play with your pet.
7. Find a way to relax
GiphyI've said it once, and I'll say it again: I love yoga. Find your thing. If you wanna talk about yoga though, let me know and we'll definitely go together.
8. Know your stress triggers
If you can identify what stresses you out, you can help prevent those things. Take the Enneagram test to find out what will stress you out internally on top of balancing out what stresses you out externally. Let's be self-aware QUEENS (or kings) and prevent as much stress as possible, other than what we cannot control.
9. Do not become overwhelmed by what you cannot control
We will become what we behold. Don't hold onto things that you cannot control. Let's get back on track and trust that everything will work out just the way it's supposed to.
10. Spend time with people
People!! WE need people !! If you're an introvert, that is not an excuse to hole up in your room and not socialize with others. Go grab dinner with a friend, and then hole up. Social interaction is good for the soul.
11. Cleanse
Get rid of things that are not good for your well being. Clean your room. Stay off Twitter. Do something that's good for you.
