"Treat yo self."

A phrase that has been plastered all over the internet and that has been introduced into televisions shows has revolutionized the way we do life.

But does anyone know how important "treating yourself" or self-care really is?

What is it?

By definition, self-care is being aware of your own personal needs and taking the necessary steps to meet them. It is dedicating the time to do the activities that nurture your soul, heart, and mind. It is "treating yourself" because you know you need and deserve it.

Self-care is taking proper care of yourself and treating yourself kindly.

While there are endless ways to succeed in doing this, I believe it's more important to understand why practicing self-care is so crucial.

To me, when I think about self-care, I think of doing the things that benefit my health and well-being as a person and as a student, which consequently and simultaneously makes me happy. This could mean anything from making sure I get enough sleep, going for a run, eating more fruits and veggies, to making sure that my emotional needs are fulfilled. It also means not forcing myself to do things when I just don't feel 100 percent up to it.

As college students, we essentially have to choose between classes & our grades and our emotional, physical, or mental well-being, which often leaves us constantly feeling drained and exhausted. It's hard to consider yourself above the mountain of assignments and test, but it's absolutely necessary.

Self-care is not selfish, nor optional.

Self-care doesn't mean your school work or your job isn't important. Nor does it mean that you have to stop caring about others. It is solely about the intentionally caring of yourself in order for you to be your best self.

It takes awhile, sometimes, to fully realize that it is beyond okay to prioritize yourself and make yourself a top concern. It's just as hard to justify dedicating time to ourselves when there's so much to be done in our lives and in the world.

But here's the thing: you are just important as anyone else on this planet.

When you put your needs over someone else's, it is the exact opposite of being selfish. By learning self-care and implementing the practice into your routine, you end up changing your mindset and outlook on life, thus making you more available and ready to a help in someone else's life.The relationship that we have with ourselves is not only one of the most important relationships we have, but it is also the foundation to which we work from and invest into others from.

It's not a one-time thing, it's a habit.

Self-care isn't about there being "an end game" or a goal -- that simply doesn't exist. It's a daily practice of making yourself a priority and promising yourself that you'll take care of yourself the right way.

The world we live in is constantly moving and we need to take a step back from the chaos to regroup and reenergize.

But how?

You know the things that make your heart flutter, that cause you to smile endlessly, and the things that make you feel like yourself. These are the things that you need to make a regular member of your daily life.

Make a list of these things & keep it handy. Choose one daily to be a part of your plan for that day and fully enjoy it, guilt-free.

Be good to yourself. Love yourself. I promise, you deserve it.