On any given day we all have a list of things we need to get done.

Homework

Studying

Athletics

Cleaning

Showering

Quizzes

Classes

Phone calls

Appointments

The list is never ending.

Constantly going and going and going is exhausting. Sometimes what you really need is a day to just sit, relax, and do absolutely nothing. Don't get dressed, don't do your hair, don't put on makeup, don't clean your room, turn off your phone and just spend the day relaxing.

On the rare occasion that you don't have any homework or classes, you have the day off from athletics, you don't have any appointments and you are free from obligations--take advantage of it.

Lay in bed and catch up on television.

Read a book JUST FOR FUN.

Take a long shower or bath.

Write something that's just for you.

Hang out with friends if you want to--but don't feel like you have to.

Watch those movies you've been storing in your Netflix queue.

Take a nap.

Do whatever it is that calms you down and makes you feel relaxed. Our lives are so packed with obligations and activities that we rarely have time to spend with ourselves. Self care is important, and sometimes the best way to care for ourselves is by spending the day only doing things that you WANT to do.

What we all need sometimes is to completely ignore all of the things that we "should" be doing and just do what we want to do and what is going to make us happy.

By this I don't mean ignoring responsibilities or not following through with commitments. It's important to get the things we need to do, done. Not taking care of responsibilities is a sure fire way to get MORE stressed.

However, once required tasks are complete it's crucial to schedule "me time." Time that you can focus solely on yourself, your passions, and relaxation.

We often get so caught up with overburdening ourselves with tasks and taking on way too much. We are constantly trying to do everything. By doing this we stop prioritizing ourselves and our personal/mental well being.

You are important too. Your health, happiness, and mentality should be top priorities in your life. Our society often forgets that.

Prioritize yourself.

Schedule time for yourself.

Take care of yourself.

Self care is not silly or unimportant. Taking a break to do nothing but lounge around the house watching television and eating snacks is not the same as being lazy (at least not always).

So take a minute, look at your schedule, and at the first free space--schedule a day with yourself to do absolutely nothing productive.