Self-Care Tips

1. Breathe. It is so important to remember that you can overcome anything. Try controlled breathing exercises when you become overwhelmed and stressed out. When you take a deep breath your heart rate slows down. This will calm your nerves and allow you to make the most of your day.

2. Try a social media detox. Limit your time on social media each day. At the very least, I encourage you to unfollow accounts that elicit negative feelings. Decrease your social media usage by 15 minutes each day when possible. Take small steps such as not checking your phone as soon as your wake up. This social media detox can reduce your anxiety, improve your self-esteem, and allow you to have more free time.

3. When you log off social media for the day, put on a face mask and enjoy yourself. Interestingly enough, beauty rituals were tied to an individual’s spirituality, health and happiness. Taking care of your skin can improve your overall mood and mental health. Incorporating skin care into your daily routine allows you to enjoy times of rest and increases the release of dopamine and serotonin (the “feel -good” neurotransmitters). “Skin care is self-care”.

4. Reach out to your friends and family when you need to talk. Venting helps you process your emotions. Having conversations with your peers can also help you come up with solutions on how to deal with the stress created in the academic or work environment. Venting to someone who is in a similar situation as you can also help by making you feel heard and understood. Always try your best to ask for permission to vent before you do so.

5. Stretch, do yoga, or meditate. Take the time to relax your body and muscles. Stretching will increase your blood flow and improve your circulation. Yoga lowers your blood pressure and can help you clear your mind and connect with your body. Meditation is an extremely powerful form of mindfulness. Meditation improves your self-awareness and increases your patience and tolerance.

6. Buy yourself a new outfit. Treat yourself! Investing in your self. Looking good makes you feel good. So take your confidence from within and let it shine on the outside. You

7. Journaling can help you self-reflect and heal. It can also help you hold yourself accountable for your goals and allow you to check on them often. Journaling can also help you keep your thoughts organized thus decluttering and easing your mind. You can use this as a way to practice gratitude and display personal growth. Journaling can be a very meaningful form of self-care.

8. You can take journaling and self-reflection a step further by using positive affirmations. Positive affirmations are positive statements that encourage growth and boost your self-esteem. Some examples of positive affirmations include“My thoughts matter” or “I am powerful”. Empower yourself and you’ll grow.