It's almost halfway through the semester, and midterms are slowly creeping closer. While it's tempting to just try to power through the next few weeks and hope that spring break comes quickly, we still have to take care of ourselves. Here's a list of a few things that I actually do (and that actually work).

1. Get enough sleep.

This one is obvious, but also very necessary. I started going to bed as close to 10:30 P.M. as I can, and it has helped me so much. I can focus better and I'm not as dependent on coffee (I still drink it! Just not as much anymore, which is honestly good).

2. Make your bed.

This one is also obvious, but let me explain. There are days when I don't feel like being a person, when the very act of taking care of this body I was given feels like too much work and too much effort. Those days, depression feels like it's winning, and I just want to crawl back into bed and sleep. Getting out of bed and taking the extra few minutes to pull up my sheets, arrange my pillows and fold my extra blanket at the foot of the bed do wonders for both my mental and physical health.

3. Shower!

Alright, this one is pretty silly, but it's also helped me get back on track. I've started showering at night, just before I got to sleep, and it's so relaxing. I feel like I'm washing off the day's stress and worries and am able to go to bed feeling clean and refreshed for tomorrow (and I can also sleep in a bit later in the morning, which is also massively helpful).

4. Plan out your week.

Personally, I use a bullet journal, but literally anything could work. Some of my friends use a blank notebook, some use an actual, pre-designed planner, and others use apps. Find what works for you, and use it! Being able to see what I have due each day and when I have to work helps me feel more confident in making plans with friends.

Good luck this week, friends!