10 Apr Why Is Self-Care for Students Important?
8 Self-Care for Students Tips You Can Do Today
Today’s teenagers and young adults are more agitated and feel more isolated than ever before—at least in the United States. According to a 2019 study, up to 70 percent of teenagers aged 13 to 17 cite anxiety and depression as the top problem among people their age in their communities. Anxiety and depression ranks number one on the list, which also includes bullying, teenage pregnancy, drugs and alcohol, poverty, and gang violence.
While we can’t pinpoint its exact causes, the rise in anxiety and depression appears to be a perfect storm of multiple elements. Many experts have referred to digital and social media as the root of the problem, but evidence shows this is not the single or even the most important source of the problem.
Concerns about their future–whether it’s climate change, economic and career uncertainties, and the most recent global pandemic–image, academic pressure, and being over-scheduled and expected to do it all plague today’s teens and college students.
But in spite of the recent statistics, there is still light at the end of the tunnel: The teens and young adults of today are growing more conscious of mental health and the importance of self-care. And while developing a healthy mind and positive outlook can take a lot of work, practicing self-care for students is a huge and important step in the right direction.
Below, we list down simple steps to practice self-care for students.
Why is Self-Care for Students Important?
Academic pressure is one the biggest sources of stress and anxiety for students–whether for a high schooler who’s prepping for college admissions or a grad student who’s in the thick of writing a master’s thesis. Lack of sleep, unhealthy diet, and little to no exercise all become an accepted part of a student’s life.
But just because it’s the norm doesn’t mean it is right. The fact of the matter is, you can’t perform well if your mind and body are not well. You lose the ability to focus, become susceptible to illness, and struggle to manage your stress levels–all of which can affect your academic performance, social life and relationships, and most importantly, your mental health.
How Do You Practice Self-Care for Students?
Self-care doesn’t need to be fancy, expensive, or complicated. Sure, it’s nice to treat yourself to an occasional spa trip or retail therapy, but it’s the little things done consistently that creates the largest impact to your state of mind. Self-care can be anything that allows you to take your mind off the sources of your stress and frustrations and lets you focus on the things that bring you clarity, calmness, and relaxation.
For teens and young adults, this can be anything from taking a 20-minute break from studying to take a nap or taking a walk around campus and finding a quiet spot to read or just observe the surroundings.
Students have routines that mostly revolve around their studies and academic responsibilities, so it’s important to set aside time for yourself and make sure that it’s a consistent part of your daily schedule. Granted, it’s not always easy to carve out time for yourself, but learning to chisel it out is essential. It will become a habit if you begin today.
Many of the activities listed below don’t take much time–some simply take up 15-20 minutes of your day. It is consistency that is important. Below are other easy examples of self-care for students that you can start making a habit of today.
1. Practice mindfulness and meditation.
Mindful meditation has been shown to alter the structure and function of the brain. It is an excellent approach to induce relaxation while lowering anxiety, sadness, and stress, which makes it an essential part of practicing self-care for students. It may be learned in-person with a professional or online (there are plenty of YouTube instructional videos or smartphone apps). This is something you can do whenever, wherever you need it!
2. Put your phone down.
Young people consume so much social media and spend so many hours on their phones that it’s no surprise that teen anxiety is on the rise. Too much social media has been related to health problems such as depression and low self-esteem. Taking time to unplug and spend time with your closest friends or fostering good connections is essential for living a fulfilling life, especially in high school. Constantly checking your phone limits this.
3. Indulge your creative side.
Another way to practice self-care for students is to nurture your artistic talents or discover a creative outlet. Select a creative avenue for expressing your thoughts and feelings–whether that’s by journaling, poetry writing, painting or drawing, photography, dancing, or playing an instrument. The aim here is to express your emotions through an art form. Don’t aim for perfection–simply immersing oneself in the activities might help you overcome negative ideas and sensations.
4. Play with your pet.
If you are fortunate enough to have a pet, there may be a few better ways to practice self-care for students. Cuddling with a pet, caring for them, and feeling their unconditional love is something we don’t get to do very often.
5. Make sure to get enough sleep.
It’s easier said than done, but sleep deprivation is harmful to a person’s mental state as well as their physical and emotional well-being. Most teenagers require eight to nine hours of undisturbed sleep to perform well. Fitting this into a schedule full of academic, social, and recreational activities is difficult, but the results will do wonders for your overall health. When you maintain a healthy sleeping routine, your “biological clock” will automatically remember when to sleep and get up.
6. Spend time with your friends.
Meeting with peers and talking about what’s going on in your life has been shown in studies to avoid burnout and increase well-being. Group relationships are critical for promoting resilience and producing chemicals in the brain that promote well-being. Make time for activities that you can all enjoy and do together, such as playing your favorite video games, going to a concert, or collaborating on personal creative projects.
7. Affirm good thoughts.
A teenager’s entire outlook and self-esteem can benefit greatly from positivity. Try saying positive affirmations aloud regularly to help you be less hard on yourself.
8. Be kind to yourself.
It’s natural for teenagers to believe they can take on the world. Teach them, though, not to take on too much. Allow them to restrict their activities and commitments to those that are essential to them and to which they will give their all. This allows people to be kinder to themselves and give their minds and bodies the rest they require.
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Read more blog posts:
- Top 10 Apps To Help You Focus/Stay Organized
- Carol Dweck’s Fixed and Growth Mindset: How You Think Can Determine Your Success
- 10 Tips on How to Help a Child Focus
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⏩8 Self-Care for Students Tips You Can Do Today⏪
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Craig Selinger
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