Like many university students, I'm a self-admitted workaholic. I have a full course load, take up four different writing jobs and try my best to maintain an adequate social life.
I cannot go a day without checking emails or completing a minuscule task before feeling complete guilt or dissatisfaction. My local Starbucks barista knows my coffee order by heart, my planner is scribbled cover to cover with pen marks and God knows how many hours I spend writing.
Needless to say, I'm beyond exhausted and in need of a quick nap — before jumping back into work, that is.
"Self-care" is a term used to define any activity used to take care of one's mental and physical health, and it has recently surfaced as the latest millennial healthcare trend. Whether it be popping on a quick 10-minute face mask, going on a two-kilometer run or taking daily meditation, the concept of self-care has fully integrated itself as a crucial part in our everyday lives.
While focusing on the physical aspects of the phenomenon, empathy and compassion also play a major role in taking care of one's health. Learning to not feel guilty for taking time away from work and forgiving yourself for small mistakes once in a while help contribute toward a healthy mind.
Upon coming across self-care posts on social media, my first reaction wasn't as pleasing, feeling guilty for doing small tasks rather than getting things done. Of course, I didn't want to completely ignore the task at hand or apologize for sending an article late because I was getting my eyelash extensions done or doing my nails.
Self-care has significant benefits to one's health and can boost the quality of work and productivity.
You learn to have control over tasks, you learn when to say "no" and you become aware of when you're crossing boundaries. The quality of work increases when you take a bit of a rest, too.
So, go ahead. Take a break.