Prioritizing Self-Care at School
As college students, we are told many things.
We are told to make it to class on time. We are told to eat well. We are told to complete all our homework and turn it all in before the deadline. We are told to put ourselves out there and participate in extracurricular activities. We are told to fall asleep at a reasonable hour—but of course, not before we’ve studied and showered and worked. We are told to have fun while we’re young, but to also always prepare for the future ahead. We are told that school always comes first.
At this point in our lives, we are very familiar with being told what is important. But it’s not very often that we are told to take care of ourselves, both mentally and physically. As the school year starts, it can be intimidating learning to rebalance all of our responsibilities, especially after relaxed summers.
Work, class, and clubs are just a few of the things we all must balance—and as we grow older, it feels like our list of daily responsibilities grows longer and longer. At the end of the day, those responsibilities stack atop one another and may cause high levels of stress and anxiety.
As someone who has dealt with her fair share of stress and anxiety, and because we’re all starting school alongside each other, I thought now would be a good time to share four of the ways I’ve learned to prioritize self-care and put mental health first!
1. Affirmations.
When stress and anxiety threaten to take over my day, there are a couple of positive affirmations that I rely on:
Go minute-by-minute. I remind myself that the only moment I’m able to control is the one happening right now.
Everything is going to be alright. It may sound simple and silly, but it has been proven time and time again that the more we hear something, the more we believe it. Reflect on past situations that you didn’t believe would be alright, and recognize how you’ve grown from them!
I am capable. Think about where you are in life and how far you’ve come. Every stressful moment is one you have overcome, and it is important to remember that every stressful moment moving forward is one you will also overcome.
2. Movement.
We all decompress in different ways, but moving our bodies—even for a few minutes—is critical to our mental well-being. Our minds and bodies thrive when we take proper care of them. If you’re having a stressful, anxiety-filled day, then practice movement. Go for a walk, do some yoga, stretch on your living room floor—any and every kind of movement helps clear your mind.
3. Take a step back.
When classes, work, and personal responsibilities pile on top of each other, we can get incredibly overwhelmed. Sometimes, there’s even this tight sense of panic in our chests. One way that I’ve learned to decompress is by taking a step back, both mentally and physically. I’ll step away from my laptop or my desk, and oftentimes take a breather outside. Removing myself from overwhelming situations helps me view them through a different lens—and it may help you, too. This way, you’re able to return to your tasks with a clearer head.
4. One step at a time.
Sometimes the tasks on my to-do lists send me into an anxious spiral. How will I ever get anything done? How can I manage this for the rest of the semester? These are questions that prod at my brain during stressful situations. Over time, I’ve found that the key to answering those questions is by focusing on one task at a time. If I am writing a paper for one class, I close all tabs for any other course or assignment so that my attention is honed in one one thing. It’s a strategy that tricks your brain into thinking you have less on your plate!
At the end of the day, being a full-time college student—alongside so many other responsibilities—can be a huge source of stress and anxiety. And while it is important to dedicate ourselves to our education, it is also important to prioritize self-care and mental health. Without properly taking care of ourselves, we can’t thrive in other areas of our lives. As the school year progresses, fall back on this list and determine what best nurtures your own mind and body in moments of stress!
Ashley Moubray is a senior at Grand Valley State University pursuing a degree in Advertising and Public Relations with an emphasis in Public Relations. She is currently the Vice President of Public Relations for GVPRSSA. Right now, she works at Perrigo as the Corporate Communications Intern and is excited to continue throughout the school year. Outside of school, Ashley loves to go on walks outside, do yoga, watch movies with friends, and cook!