With the new year and the new semester approaching, I would like to offer a few reminders of how to take care of yourself.
1. Stay hydrated and eat healthy
I cannot stress how important eating and drinking enough water is. I recently neglected these aspects of my life and I suffered noticeable consequences. I was irritable, distracted and moody. When I finally got back to my regular regiment, my entire being changed.
2. Sleep
As college students we are constantly sleep-deprived. Whether it's from the stress of multiple assignments due on the same day or a jam-packed weekly schedule, we just cannot seem to get enough sleep. We try to make up for our deprivation with ten to fifteen power naps between classes, meetings, and meals. My roommate likes to say she'll sleep when she dies, but sleep is essential to human functioning. The brain does not concentrate or retain information well when the body lacks sleep. Maintaining a regular sleep schedule not only eliminates the problems listed above, but it makes it a lot easier to get up in the morning.
3. Exercise and stretch
Personally, I am not a huge fan of either. I rarely experience the adrenaline and dopamine side effects after I run for twenty minutes on the treadmill. My body tends to be sore for a few days after each fitness class. I am intimidated by the athleticism of the regular gym goers. With this being said, why go to the gym? It's important to exercise and keep your body in shape. This keeps your mind in shape too. Exercise makes you happier and healthier.
4. Do your laundry and change your sheets
Not only is this hygienic and cleanly, it makes you feel ten times better crawling into a bed with clean sheets. Just do it.
5. De-clutter your space
Every time I leave school to go back home, I clear out my desk and bureau's surfaces. It is great to organize and get rid of stuff. It's even better to come home to a clean desk and clear surfaces. Clearing off piled textbooks, random post-it notes, and school supplies is extremely satisfying. It can motivate you to use your desk more often and to be more productive.
6.Relax
Taking a few minutes out of each day to relax and find peace with yourself is essential. Whether it's listening to soothing music, writing, mediation, or prayer, spending moments with yourself is important.
7. Go outdoors
Spending time outside, even fifteen minutes a day, can change a life. Studies have proven that sunlight adjusts your circadian rhythm or biological clock, helps to prevent winter depression, and improves your skin. Being outside improves stress, short-term memory, and restores mental energy.
8. Treat yourself
Whether it's taking yourself out on a date or eating that cookie, everyone needs to do something special for themselves once in awhile. I struggle with this a lot. It is difficult to stop and acknowledge all of your accomplishments when you still feel like you have miles ahead of you. Plus, why focus on you when you can help someone else, right? Yeah, but remember: it is okay to be selfish sometimes.
9. Spend less time on your phone
I challenge you to take twenty minutes without your phone. Bury your phone in your dresser, throw it in your closet, hide it under your bed or whatever works best for you. Do something and go somewhere without your phone and see what happens.
10. Take time to appreciate something great in your life
There's a ton of ways to do this. You can call a loved one and update them on your life. You can thank someone for something nice they did. You can write in a gratitude journal. You can simply acknowledge all you have. It does not take a lot of time or thought but this easy exercise can change your mood instantly. Sometimes we need to remind ourselves of how much we have when we're trying to figure out what we need.
