As a college senior, I can testify that senioritis and burnout in school are real. College students, and even high school students, have a lot on their plate. Most students have jobs while being a full-time student, as well as commitments in extracurriculars. With our schedules full, how do we manage to care for ourselves and find the time to do that? The answer for me has been to find spaces in my schedule that allow me to settle down and do some activities I can do within my dorm room.
Before I share the different self-care activities you can do in your own space, let us talk about why self-care is important. Self-care allows us to recharge and get back on track. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) states that self-care helps with managing stress, lowering the risk of illness, and increasing energy. It also helps maintain mental health and gives you a boost of support in your journey. With this knowledge, it makes sense that engaging in self-care will help us as students.
Self Care Ideas:
- Find a hobby
If you already have a hobby you like to do, keep on doing it! You can have multiple hobbies. Some hobbies may be playing video games, baking, drawing, reading (my personal favorite), painting, crocheting, etc. Find what interests you, relaxes you, or is fun for you.
- Exercise
When we think of self-care, our minds might automatically go to “leisure”. However, self-care consists of anything that is taking care of the mind, soul, and/or body. Exercise is crucial to a healthy lifestyle. If you want a more intense workout, you can definitely do that. But exercise can also mean going for a walk, doing a dance workout, or yoga. Find what works best for you and have fun with it!
- Journaling
Writing about your day, goals, frustrations, joys, thoughts, etc. can be a very helpful way to organize your thoughts. It is essentially a “brain dump” so that your brain is not jumbled and running a hundred miles an hour. Grab some water, a cup of tea, or a snack, and settle into a comfy space where you can focus without distractions. Dump all your feelings and thoughts onto your paper in any format you want. Trust me, you will feel a little lighter after this.
If you are dealing with any mental health issues or are finding it hard to care for yourself, and want to speak to a professional counselor, please feel free to contact Olive Branch Counseling Associates, Inc. at 708-633-8000. We are located at 6819 167th Street in Tinley Park, Illinois 60477. We would be happy to be of service.
References:
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health
Written by: Emme D.
Undergrad Intern 2024
CounselingMatters.live 
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