Finding time for yourself in the middle of the semester can be challenging, especially right in the middle of the semester. We are all busy, we are all juggling life as a student with work and extracurriculars. Sometimes it just feels like there is no time or space in your schedule to take a break, but you have to remember that sometimes we have to make sacrifices and put ourselves and our well being first. Without taking a little time for yourself, it is easy to burn out and lose the passion that you currently have for the things that you love. These breaks don’t have to be big or elaborate, they should be things that you can slip into your schedules to decompress a little and refresh your mind so you can go on to achieve all of the amazing things that you are capable of!
Take a study break: Sitting in the library for hours upon hours and staring at a textbook is not the best strategy. Add timed breaks into your study time, 5-10 minutes off every hour or so to check your phone, go to the bathroom, refill your water bottle or eat a snack will actually help you focus longer and be more productive in the long run!
Call a friend: Good friends are an extremely valuable resource, they are there whether you need to get out off campus and do something fun or just need someone to listen to you rant (ranting and complaining is actually proven to be good for you - keep at it!). Plus, you get to better your mental health while hanging out :)
Give yourself a reward: Don’t forget to congratulate yourself on what you have accomplished! Remember that you are killing it out there, it is not easy being in college. It is a lot of work, and even when it feels like you are on a treadmill and are never making any progress towards reaching the finish line, you are. And you deserve that slice of cake or down time to watch Netflix to unwind and celebrate all that you do.
Make time to exercise: Exercise is not a thing that everyone loves, but it is a thing that everyone should make time for. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to go to the ARC, or Aztec Recreation Center, for an hour, it can be as simple as taking a walk. Getting the blood in your body moving releases endorphins that naturally reduce stress levels and boost your mood, putting you in a better, more optimistic mental state.
Journal: Journaling is one of the best ways to get your emotions out of your system, and sometimes one of the most cathartic things is just to watch all of your feelings take shape on paper and prevent them from building up within you until they bubble over and explode.
Pamper yourself: Take time every once and a while to treat yo self. You are a hardworking, strong, independent woman, but even the strongest women want to put on a facemask and get their nails done to be feeling their best. When you feel good inside and out, you are setting yourself up for success.
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