As a college student, how many of us actually pay attention to our personal health? It is so easy to get wrapped up in the things going on in life (school, work, bf, gf, family). Trust me I get it. You are talking to the girl who, broke out in shingles at age 19 from stress. Yes, you read that right. Shingles at age 19 because of STRESS. What even was I doing? The worst pain I had ever been in in my life was caused by stress. I was neglecting my body and my mental health. I am the queen of stressing out. I was the person that couldn't say no. to anything. Even if I already had a million things on my plate, I would think "what's one more thing." Well, that one more thing might have pushed me over the edge. I say I "was" that person because I chose to stop being that girl. I now choose myself over everything else. Does that make me selfish? Absolutely not. I now make better decisions when it comes to my physical and mental health. Does that mean I don't stress out and I work out all the time or I always say no. Ha, not at all. I still get stressed out and I don't really love to work out. But I take time for myself and say "no" to things that will push me over the edge. It all boils down to choosing yourself over everything else. Making time for yourself is the best way to take care of your body. I want to share my routine for decompressing that helps me relieve that stress and feel better mentally and physically.
Twice a week, I take time to myself. To be alone. For at least an hour or two in the evening. Usually for me it's Wednesday and Sunday (as a pick me up in the middle of the week and to help me start my week right). Some weeks I have to adjust to fit my schedule, but I always make sure it's twice a week if not more.
What I do week to week usually vary's by how I feel:
Here's a few things I like to do if I'm feeling physically tired:
Take a hot bath
Sit in my floor and do some stretches
Lay in bed and watch Netflix
Pick up a pen and write something. Either how I'm feeling or ideas and goals.
Here's a ffew things I like to do if I'm feeling mentally tired
Light a candle
Lay in bed and close my eyes for a while
Clear my mind of anything that is pressing on me. (this is not ever easy for me)
Put on a Spotify playlist called Calming Acoustic.( Here's the link -----> https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DXaImRpG7HXqp?si=-N2xlbYrR_ef4CwDCnf82gI )
Go for a drive (blaring my favorite songs with the windows down is such a great feeling.)
Do a good face mask
Paint my toenails
Do my makeup just because I can
Clean up my room or redecorating
Those are just a few options that run through my head when I'm not feeling so great.
We often neglect ourselves in college. We are so focused on getting that degree and making the grades. That's good and all until we start to neglect our physical and mental health. We are going from class to class eating whatever whenever. Staying up until 3 am to get homework done and study. Slowly our body and our mental health declines. I learned that the hard way. My challenge to you, this week, would be to learn those things that you love to do that relax you, and do them at least twice a week. Pay attention to what your body is telling you. Put the breaks on and take some time for yourself. Whatever it is that relaxes you, do it. Your mind and body should be the most important things in your life. If you don't take care of your body it will be so much harder to accomplish your to-do list for the day. Make self-care a part of your to-do list. Let me know what I can do to help! We all struggle from time to time.
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