I believe we live in a time where we are conditioned to believe that if we are not doing something every second of every day, we are wasting time. I used to believe that. I was always looking for something to do, something to make my time count rather than let it slip away. When I would spend half the day sleeping, I would feel bad about it.
It wasn't until I came to college that I realized that sometimes you NEED to take a day to sleep. When you're in college, it can be difficult to find a moment of time for yourself. College is a whirlwind of people, homework, work, and parties and it's easy to get caught up in the rush of it all. I would burn myself out because I didn't want to "miss out." Because of this, I would end up saying yes to things, even when I was verging on exhaustion. I made time for all of these other things but I wouldn't make any time for myself. It wasn't healthy.
Obviously, closing yourself off and ignoring responsibilities isn't healthy either but that's not what I'm suggesting. I've started using Sundays as days to myself. Just one day of relaxation can be advantageous to get through the coming week. I understand that there are people who need constant stimulation and this might not work for them. But I recommend trying it, even if you set aside just 1 hour, dedicate that time to yourself. And if you need some ideas on what to do with that time, I have some suggestions.
1. Sleep
Getting enough sleep is extremely important. However, being a college student, that's not always possible. If you have a chance to get a full 8 hours of sleep, I would take it.
2. Eat
Once again, being in college can affect when and what you eat. It doesn't seem possible to eat an actual meal. I understand that it can be difficult to find good food on campus and that leaving campus can be expensive, but if you have the chance, eating a real meal can revive you.
3. Organize/Clean
This definitely isn't for everyone but sometimes getting things in order, whether that be a to-do list or your room, can be cathartic. Once everything is accounted for it can be easier to focus on the things you need to do.
4. Listen to some music
Sometimes shutting out the rest of the world is a good thing. Putting on some headphones and cranking the volume all the way up has a way of making stress go away. And, depending on the genre of music you choose you can decide what you want to get done. An inspiring soundtrack might just help you finish the homework you've been putting off.
5. Pamper yourself
Take a warm shower, make some time to put on your favorite lotion, light a candle. Basically, do something for yourself that makes you feel good. You truly might not know how stressed you are until you force your body to relax. I believe that this step is supremely important. You cannot focus your mind if your body hasn't unwound.
6. Relax
This is a pretty broad suggestion. No one is the same. Everyone has different activities or pastimes that help them relax. That could be bingeing a new show on Netflix or reading a book. Either way, it can act as a way to unwind.
I try to do all of these things at least once during the week. Life goes pretty fast, especially in college. It can be hard to slow down. But if you try to consciously make the decision to slow yourself down, take a break, it can make a big difference in how you feel overall.
