Recent world events can seem overwhelming to some. Whether we like it or not, the way we live our day-to-day lives will be a little different over the coming weeks. During this time, it is important that we continue to maintain habits that positively contribute to our physical and mental health. Today we are sharing seven Self-Care Strategies for students during challenging times. Read on below for more info!
Stick to Your Daily Routine
Sticking to your daily routine is as important as ever. A routine adds normalcy to our lives. It also adds structure and certainly. As we navigate through many of the abnormal and uncertain things happening in our world, your daily routine can help keep you grounded. So, keep your alarm set, make sure you shower and groom in the morning, get dressed for school or work, etc. Sticking to your routine will give you a sense of control over your life during these uncertain times.
Maintain a Nutritious Diet
While many students are now learning online, life at home is the new normal. All day, every day. That said there might be a growing temptation to raid the refrigerator throughout the day. Here is a tip, don’t snack any more often than you would if you weren’t at home. Maintaining a nutritious diet is critical to your self-care. Food is fuel for our bodies. If you are not fueling it with the ‘right’ foods, you will likely soon feel the effects, both physically and mentally. Similar to sticking to your routine, stick to your regular eating schedule. In addition, make sure you maintain a nutritious diet. Your mind and body will thank you.
Exercise
You might be wondering, how can I exercise if I am stuck at home. Believe it or not, you can take advantage of a few different options. YouTube has many great videos for fitness and Yoga classes. In addition, there may be things you already have around your home to aid in your exercise routine. As tempting as it may seem to lounge around all day, that is not doing your body any good. Find ways to stay moving, you will be glad you did.
Get Enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep does not mean sleeping in until noon every day (do not forget about that routine we talked about earlier). However, it does mean that you are getting a full night’s worth of rest (typically 7 to 9 hours for an adult). Not having enough sleep can weaken your immune system, and now is definitely not the time to diminish your body’s ability to fight off any external invaders.
Find Ways to Disconnect
An important part of self-care is nourishing your well-being. This includes your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. To skillfully do this in challenging times, it is important to find ways where you can ‘disconnect’ from the world around you. This may involve relaxing with some deep breathing exercises or by meditating. It may involve going into your room, closing the door and reading a good book. If you begin to feel frustrated or annoyed, catch yourself before you react. Find a way to disconnect from the world around you to recharge.
Keep In Touch with Family and Friends
It is important not to totally isolate yourself from the rest of the world during challenging times. Sure, there is some physical distance between all of us, but that does not mean we cannot stay connected. Pick up the phone and call your family and friends. Maybe you make it a goal to call at least one person a day, and a different person each day. Invest in your relationships, especially the ones that mean the most to you. Keeping in touch with family and friends is also a two-way street. You will likely feel good about reaching out and having a good conversation, as will the person on the other end of the phone. It is important to not allow challenging times to disconnect us from the rest of the world.
Keep a Journal
Keeping a journal can be therapeutic in a number of ways. In a world where we are faced with challenges and uncertainty, it would not be uncommon to feel lonely, anxious, or a bit depressed. Consider writing in your journal each day about the things for you are grateful. Practicing gratitude is a good way to boost your optimism, as well as alleviate anxiety and depression. Another idea is to write down three things that you accomplished each day. Journaling our accomplishments daily can help us feel a sense of pride, even if things happening around us may have you feeling down. You may also just choose to use your journal for reflective thoughts. Regardless of what you choose to write about, a journal can help you organize your thoughts and channel them in a productive and healthy way.
We hope you found these tips helpful! As we all learn how to modify our routines, good self-care habits are very important. Our list here is not meant to be all-inclusive. Maybe some other self-care strategies will help you ease any angst you may be feeling. If there are other tips that work well for you, that is great. Keeping your health and well-being at the forefront is so important, especially now.
Dorsey Schools | Career Training in Michigan
Our mission at Dorsey Schools is to provide our students with the best training possible as they pursue their newly chosen career. We have proudly served communities in Michigan since 1934! During these uncertain times, Dorsey Schools is continuing its commitment to our students. While our campus buildings are temporarily closed, many Dorsey Schools students are able to start or continue their classes online. We look forward to welcoming all of our students back to campus in the near future. In the meantime, though, we wish all of our students and their loved ones good health and safety.
If you are interested in learning more about training at Dorsey Schools, request information today. A member of our team will contact you to discuss how we can help you.
