Incorporating Self-Care into Your Daily Routine as a Student

Written by: Anargi Perera
Photo Credit: Unsplash

It can be easy to associate self-care with the luxurious and time-consuming portrayals of it that are circulated on social media. While these images of self-care can be inspiring, they are often unrealistic—especially when considering many of the time and, potentially, financial constraints faced by students. The reality is that self-care, in all its forms, is far more accessible than one might imagine.

It is important first to identify what the term “self-care” really encompasses. The concept is used to describe activities that contribute to the maintenance of one’s emotional, physical, and mental health. Since these different aspects of health are interdependent, caring for one aspect often has positive effects on others. While a student's hectic schedule may limit time for self-care, incorporating small self-care practices into daily routines can help make health a priority. Self-care can even be important when striving to maximize productivity and efficiency throughout the day. For instance, focusing on mental and emotional well-being can equip you with tools for managing stress and avoiding burnout, while focusing on physical well-being can enhance energy levels needed to face the day’s tasks.

Now, what are some self-care practices that you can integrate into your daily routines?

Practicing gratitude is an excellent way to begin the day. After waking up in the morning, try to attribute two minutes to jotting down five things to be grateful for. This can help to shift your outlook on any challenges faced during the rest of the day.
Meditation is a great way to implement mindfulness into your busy schedule. It does not have to be fancy; in fact, there are many guided meditation videos on Youtube, and apps such as Calm and Headspace that make it simple to find moments of peace in just a few minutes.
Implementing regular exercise into a schedule packed with classes, studying and other activities can sometimes seem impossible. However, daily exercise has been shown to increase productivity, help deal with stress, and improve mood. This doesn’t have to mean scheduling a 6 am pilates class or hitting the gym at the crack of dawn (while these are excellent ways to get your body moving), but rather any form of exercise that might help alleviate some of the stressors you are experiencing. In fact, taking walks during study breaks is a great way to get some exercise during busy times, while also offering the chance to get some fresh air.
Making sure to consume a healthy and balanced diet can definitely be a struggle, especially when considering a student's financial limitations and lack of time. However, there are definitely easy and inexpensive ways to incorporate healthy eating practices. Check out this source for some meal inspiration or get a healthy stir-fry meal idea from one of our other blog posts!

It is important to emphasize that while these tips can be useful to implement into one’s lifestyle, self-care practices can look different for everyone. The important message to take away is that self-care is about the small actions that are taken each day to contribute to one’s overall well-being. It is about acknowledging and being aware of your personal needs and working towards meeting them, even as they change. So, think of self-care as a skill that requires practice and patience; start by incorporating just one or two of these activities, and build them up over time.

As mentioned earlier, supporting one’s mental health is a large focus of many self-care practices. However, if you are struggling with your mental health and would like to seek extra support, click here to view a graphic with some of Western’s mental health support resources .

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