Balancing a schedule of university classes, schoolwork, and deadlines can be stressful. It is important to take care of yourself when you are stressed out. Taking a break to rest and recharge can be very helpful. According to the American Psychological Association, self-care is defined as, "activities or behaviors that enhance mental, emotional, and/or physical health and well being." Whether your self-care activity is eating a healthy meal, going for a walk, taking a nap, coloring, painting, listening to music, dancing around your room, or talking to a friend-- self-care is an important tool for taking care of yourself. If you are feeling stressed out, a self-care activity can help you to feel calmer and more centered.
Photo of tea and baked goods by Reyhaneh Mehrnejad on Unsplash. Photo of blooming protea plant at UConn Greenhouse by Renee W. 10,000 Lux seasonal affective disorder lamps at U Toronto Library, photo by Renee W.
Examples of Self-Care Activities:
Online Free Wellness Classes:
There are several free wellness classes online which teach students how to live well, and take care of themselves.
For more information about the origins and history of the term "self-care," please refer to the link below which provides a nice overview.
Other strategies for calming yourself down when stressed or anxious are often called grounding techniques. Some examples of grounding techniques include:
There are many variations of this method as well such as the
2. Box breathing: another popular grounding method is called box breathing
Image of mist diffuser or humidifier by Felicia Buitenwerf on Unsplash
Above is a video of a koi pond with fish swimming in it. What do you see as colors? What do you hear as sounds?
Doom scrolling became a more common term during 2020, when everyone was stuck at home and spending a lot of time on social media. If you find you are doom scrolling too much, take a break.
Or if you feel like you are comparing yourself too much to others, follow hashtags like #selfcare on Instagram.
Accounts to follow to brighten up your Insta feed:
@selfcareisforeveryone
@anxiety_wellbeing
Occupational therapist Stefan L Barbas shared on social media, three ways to unwind from technology when our brains are overwhelmed:
Or try some yoga and meditation with UConn Rec!
This content guide is meant to be solely informational in nature. It is not meant to provide professional care or recommendations. It includes general considerations, but readers should contact their medical provider for individualized advice, treatment, and recommendations.
If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, call 911 or go to your local hospital. If you are in crisis, please call 833-308-3040 to be directed to immediate 24/7 help.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
| Details and Exceptions