It's that time of year again where we all make it to the halfway point of the fall semester and we feel like one of the walkers from the Walking Dead. It's amazing in itself that we even made it this far. As important as it is to keep those grades up and study, study, study, it's just as important to remember to take a breather and keep up your physical/mental health. Here a few simple tricks you can use to keep yourself feeling like you.
1. Start a "compliments file."
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A compliment folder is a compilation of all the nice things that you have heard people say about you. You just gather all of these in whatever form you would like (i.e. post-its, notecards, a journal) that you can look back on whenever you need a reminder of what makes you so wonderful. As silly as it sounds, sometimes it's the littlest things that can brighten your day and we all have our days where we feel pretty crummy about ourselves.
2. Take a power nap.
Sleep isn't always the answer for everything, but it can definitely give you the boost you need to get through the rest of your tasks for the day. An ideal power nap is between 10 and 30 minutes. As time goes on throughout the semester, it seems like the amount of sleep I get dwindles and I replace it with more caffeine. Instead of making the same mistakes as me, take some time out of your day to lay down and unwind a little bit.
3. Take yourself out.
This is one of my favorite things to do. Instead of waiting for someone else to take you on a date or make plans with you, just head out into the world. Treat yourself to a coffee or check out that new shop you've been eyeing up for awhile. Not only is putting yourself out there a great way to step outside your bubble, but who knows what amazing places/things you can discover!
4. Start a journal.
By starting a journal, you're keeping a collection of your feelings and thoughts over a period of time. You can also look back on older entries and see how much you have grown from past experiences. Reflecting on your decisions can help you learn from them and make better ones in the future.
5. Unplug from all your electronic devices.
I know, I know, this may seem like an impossible task to even try to attempt. However, unplugging from the soap opera of the prom queen's rollercoaster relationship on Facebook might do you some good. Constantly having your phone or other electronic device in front of your face can cause you to miss what's going on around you and then you get so wound up. Take just a half hour at first and then gradually unplug for a little longer each day.
6. Surround yourself with your favorite people.
This is an easy tip. Call up your closest friends or whoever it is that makes you feel good inside and make plans. Surrounding yourself with people who keep you grounded and happy is important. Yes it's nice to be by yourself, but isolation can only go on for so long before the wave of loneliness comes to get you.
It does not take much to keep yourself in check. If you didn't like of all these tips, there are tons more out there! Just search for self-care tips and start taking better care of yourself today!
