As undergraduate and graduate students alike can attest, burnout is a real problem.
When you’re a student, your typical responsibilities don’t just include coursework, reading, research, and writing papers (as if that wasn’t enough). Many undergrad and grad students also juggle full- or part-time jobs, student group tasks, adviser meetings, and so much more.
Even though college and postgrad can be a wonderful time to expand your knowledge and forge new connections, it can also be incredibly competitive, deadline driven, and fast paced.
If you’re starting to feel the stress, it’s time to take a step back and do some self-care. After all, you can’t pour from an empty cup. When you take care of yourself, you’re better equipped to help your peers, show up for your friends and family, and take on your day. Here are five self-care tips for undergrad and grad students.
1. Begin your day with a little “me time”
Whether you have an 8 a.m. class or you have to rush into an early morning work shift, try waking up a bit earlier and allowing yourself some time just for yourself.
When you go straight from your bed to rushing out the door, you’re starting the day in a frenzied mindset. Set your alarm earlier and build up an extra half hour in your morning.
Take this time to enjoy a cup of tea, journal, do some yoga, or meditate. Avoid filling that time with looking over schoolwork or scrolling through social media on your phone; this won’t clear your head in the same way. Building in some “me time” every morning can help jumpstart your days, boost your productivity, and feel connected to yourself.
2. Make some form of exercise a regular part of every day
Don’t worry. We’re not saying you need to frequent a CrossFit studio multiple times a week. Instead, make simple choices that get your body moving throughout the day. That can mean biking or walking to class or work, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or taking a 10-minute stretch break as opposed to watching some YouTube videos.
Exercise is proven to balance your mind, sharpen your alertness, and boost your immunity. Even small actions like the ones listed above will help you reap these benefits. Of course, you can also incorporate longer runs, weight lifting sessions, or group fitness classes into your weekly schedule if that’s what interests you.
3. Bring joy into your school materials
Does the sheer sight of your textbooks or school laptop stress you out? Switch it up. Treat yourself to new pens, textbook covers, a fun laptop case, or a new backpack. These are all useful items that will freshen up your school materials and help you see them in a new light.
It’s so normal to associate your school things with anxiety and stress; this makes it easy to lose touch with the reasons you began studying in the first place. You chose to embark on a path and learn more about a subject you’re passionate about. Buying a couple of fun items that change your perspective on those stressors will help reignite that spark.
Plus, who doesn’t love writing with super smooth pens?
4. Get fresh air
When you’re immersed in schoolwork and other responsibilities, chances are that you’re holed up indoors. If you’re in a library or at your computer for hours on end, that’s not doing much good for your physical and mental health.
Make going outside a regular part of your daily schedule. Just by going outside, you can boost your energy, creativity, and immune system as well as lower your blood pressure.
5. Indulge yourself
Self-care isn’t all about exercise and the outdoors. Sometimes you need a super indulgent night in. If you’re stretched thin and spend all your time taking care of tasks and being there for other people, it’s time to plan an evening just for yourself.
Put on your coziest pajamas, order in from your favorite restaurant, light a candle, and binge a feel-good movie or TV show. Don’t feel guilty! Allow yourself to relax and enjoy this time just for you, away from any responsibilities.
Learn about the undergraduate and graduate programs and more offered from The Chicago School.