Self-Care Matters

Self-care: activities and practices we engage in on a regular basis to reduce stress and enhance our well-being.

With our busy lives, we often forget to prioritize self-care. Self-care involves a holistic approach, which impacts the body, mind and soul. The stressors of college life can be very demanding, leaving little time to take care of ourselves. Luckily, we have the option of learning self-care tools and techniques in order to live a more balanced life.

Self care includes any intentional actions you take to care for your physical, mental and emotional health. Self care is unique for everyone. Below are some ideas to get you started in developing your own self care plan using the dimensions of wellness as a guide. It can be overwhelming to consider taking on many new things. It may be helpful to start with a couple of ideas and build on that.

• Body
• Soul
• Emotions
• Purpose
• Social Connection
• Environment
• Mind
• Security

Self-care for the mind

Practicing self-care for the mind is essential in order to keep the mind healthy and balanced. There are several quick exercises we can do on a daily basis to keep our minds fully functioning and healthy.

Tips for mind-care

• Meditate
• Go offline
• Switch off your electronics
• Listen to music
• Create affirmation cards
• Pursue Counseling

Emotional self-care

Taking care of ourselves emotionally helps us to better understand ourselves, cope with challenges, and develop and nourish healthy relationships. When we tend to our own emotional needs, we cultivate a greater sense of compassion, kindness, and love for ourselves and others.

Examples of emotional self-care:

• Writing in a gratitude journal
• Saying positive affirmations
• Saying no and setting boundaries(opens in new window)
• Writing yourself a letter
• Connecting with a friend
• Seeing a therapist(opens in new window)
  • Mental health is a key part of your overall health. Brief screenings are the quickest way to determine if you or someone you care about should connect with a mental health professional - they are a checkup from your neck up. This program is completely anonymous and confidential, and immediately following the brief questionnaire you will see your results, recommendations, and key resources.
    Free Mental Health Screening(opens in new window)

Self-care for the body

Self-care for the body is imperative to ensure proper physical health. It's very easy to take stress out on our bodies. Making choices to release stressful energy inside our bodies is crucial in maintaining physical self-care.

Tips for body-care

• Exercise
• Do yoga
• Reduce alcohol intake
• Remain updated on preventative appointments
• Have healthy meals

Self-care for the soul

When you're overwhelmed and approaching burnout, it's easy to forget to take care of your soul. The soul requires nurturing as the mind and body do too. All are equally as important.

Tips for the Soul-Care

• Be still
• Forgive yourself, forgive others
• Allow yourself to feel whatever you're feeling
• Be of service

Social self-care

Social connection is another important dimension of self-care, even though most people associate self-care with themselves (because, duh, it has the word self in it). But social connection helps create a sense of belonging and acceptance which we humans need, and it allows us to create and share a common bond with others.

Examples of social self-care:

• Going to a workout class
• Walking with friends
• Joining or starting a club
• Working on assignments at a coffee shop
• Organizing a family dinner
• Reaching out to a new person

Tips for making time for self-care

Find a method that works for you! Try the Power Hour Method(opens in new window).