Many students forget about their own wellbeing during their studies, deprioritising self-care when there are so many other tasks to do. They may be without their parents' guidance, facing intense academic obligations, and there is too much work is in the way of our own needs. Self-care is crucial to maintaining our mental and physical health, however, and when we practise it, we take care of our mind, body, and soul, learning to value and love ourselves.
If you're feeling like you're struggling to keep up with campus life, remember that you can always stop for a moment and take stock of things.
The techniques in the cards below are just a smaller number of the things you can do, some with friends and others in the comfort and safety of your own bedroom. Try whichever one appeals most to you. Self-care doesn't have to be complex: always keep in mind that it's about separating yourself from academic stresses and resetting your mind so that you can get back on track or simply make studying easier.
Go for a walk
Try going for a walk around campus, along a stream, under some trees, or around a new part of Yogyakarta. Walking activates our muscles and helps us clear our minds.
Meet friends
Make time to see friends outside of class. It's not just about overcoming loneliness on campus, maintaining social connections is critical to our mental wellbeing.
Sleep more
Take a regular nap or create a night routine that helps you to sleep 7-9 hours. Lack of sleep is highly disruptive, increasing stress and affecting our mood.
Watch something
Give yourself the opportunity to escape the stresses of reality for a couple hours. Watch a movie or read a book that takes your mind off studying and brings you peace.
Keep a diary
Write down whatever makes you grateful or hopeful. Journaling about our day helps us connect with ourselves, to process our feelings, and keeps us grounded.
Make music
Music is food for the soul, and listening to something soothing can be enough. Or better yet: pick up an instrument and play, which promotes focus and flow.
Make art
Doodle, draw, paint, sculpt, or engage in any other creative activity that appeals to you. Working our creative muscles help us to relax and learn to be more mindful.
Do yoga
Yoga and meditation can be done from anywhere, even your bedroom. They help with burnout and overcoming anxiety, and increase mindfulness and awareness.
Exercise
Run, climb, or lift some weights. This does more than promote fitness, it gives us a sense of physical wellbeing, increases self-esteem, and releases endorphins.
Clean your space
Put on a podcast or load a music playlist, and clean your room or workspace. Cleaning in itself can be a therapeutic practice, but a clean space makes for a clear mind.
Breathe
When we're tense or anxious, a simple breathing exercise can be all we need. Among others, try box breathing to reduce anxiety or 4-7-8 breathing to hasten sleep.
Try Pomodoro
With the Pomodoro Technique, you break up a task into 25-minute work sessions with 5-minute breaks. Do whatever you want during the break and focus during the work session.
