It is so so so important to take care of yourself. We all know how stressful college is, especially if you're trying to balance a job, internship, a social life, and any other responsibilities life likes to throw at you. So I've decided to throw a list together of little ways you can carve time out of your day to take care of yourself.
Whether if it's between classes, before you go to bed, or when you first wake up, you have to take time for yourself. Even if you have to schedule it out in your calendar and say no to other things people ask you to do, do it.
1. Write in a journal.
I'm not a huge fan of keeping a journal, just because I don't like how messy it can look and that I can't go back and change anything. However, keeping a bullet journal can take care of that in helping you to organize your thoughts. You can also keep one on a computer if that suits your needs.
2. Listen to music.
Whatever you're into or suits your mood, play it. Music can always make me feel better, especially if I can sing along. If you're one of those people who can do homework and listen to music in the background, this is a great way to make the tediousness a little more bearable.
3. Do a face mask.
My roommates and I are always doing face masks. They're super affordable and only take a couple of minutes to do. And your skin will look AMAZING.
4. Drink wine!
This is another of my roommates' and my favorite thing to do, especially after a long day. Grab a glass of pinot and sit back and relax. This pairs excellently with face masks, talking with your gal pals, watching a show, etc.
5. Take a nap.
Ah, sleep. I can never seem to get enough of it. Sometimes life is just too exhausting and you need an escape from it for a little while. Taking a quick cat nap whether it be 15 minutes or 4 hours (hey, it happens), you can wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle whatever it is you were trying to avoid.
6. Buy yourself something small.
I don't mean going on a shopping spree here. It's more along the lines of buying that $5 coffee before your 8 a.m. class or a new lipstick you've been eyeing at Ulta. It can brighten up your day and give you something to look forward to.
7. Watch an episode of your favorite show.
The Office is always a good idea. Anything that can make you laugh and get your mind off of whatever is troubling you, is worth the 20 minutes it takes out of your day.
8. Take a warm bath/shower.
Sometimes I have to remind myself to shower. I get so caught up in everything I have to in the day, that by the end I'm so exhausted I fall right into bed. Taking a warm bath/shower right before bed can make you so much more relaxed, and your quality of sleep will be that much better.
9. Light a candle.
What's not to love about candles? They smell so good! You can even get the ones made with essential oils, so win-win!
Be careful of this if you're in a dorm. Those pesky smoke detectors will set off the fire alarms, and no one wants to be the kid responsible for making everyone evacuate the building at 3 in the morning.
10. Go outside.
Nature is very soothing. Walking is good exercise, and being outside gives you something to look at. Being in the sunshine or looking at the stars can make you feel so much better. It can remind you how small you are compared to everything else that is happening in the universe, and that it will all be okay. And if you're one of those people (like me) who doesn't like bugs, find somewhere that's screened in or make sure to wear bug spray!
11. Read.
Take the time to read literally anything. It can be a novel, news article, Wikipedia article (if you're like my boyfriend), or even scrolling through Facebook. Current events are great to get your mind off of your own life too.
12. Talk to a friend.
You can ask my roommates, I tell them everything. I don't know how they've been able to handle my constant venting. However, you need to talk to other people. Keeping things to yourself only makes them worse. Find someone you trust, and vent away. You'll feel much better.
13. Color.
They make so many adult coloring books now that you are guaranteed to find something up your alley. And if you get overwhelmed by the complexity of them, you can always get a children's one. They're simpler and can be finished faster. No shame, man.
14. Work out.
Exercising makes you feel better, because science. Part of taking care of yourself means making sure your body is able to handle the daily wear and tear. It doesn't necessarily mean getting those rock hard abs (props to you though if you can!), but doing what you need to be able to stay healthy.
15. Cook/bake.
Stressful times means there's going to be a lot of food in my apartment. It'll be 2 in the morning, and I'll bust out the baking stuff to make brownies.
Shoutout to my roomie here for always being game to bake alongside me!
16. Paint your nails.
It's fun, and makes you feel pretty.
Long story short, there are so many little things you can do. This isn't even a dent in the long list of what you can do, but it's what I've found works for me, so find what works for you! You'll feel better for it.
