The words self-care have been circulating a lot over the past few years. Everyone from beauty gurus to psychologists have been emphasising the importance of it, but it can be hard during hectic times in our lives – for example, when we’re a student – to take the time to add it into our routines.
People with personality disorders should especially remember not to jump from one extreme to another. Sometimes implementing something as small as 10 minutes of guided meditation into your day is the best way to encourage lasting wellness.
Start Small
Though it can be tempting to want to jumpstart into a new self-care routine, attempting to make too big of a transition can be detrimental in the long run. The best way to implement lasting changes in your routine is to start by making small, attainable changes. For some people this could be as simple as drinking a glass of water every morning, or doing their laundry every Sunday.
Personalise Your Practices
Because student life can be so inconsistent, you may not have a schedule that resembles the people around you. It’s important to develop self-care practices that work for you. Try adding in different techniques over time, and adjusting if certain things don’t feel quite right.
For example, some people love using journaling as a self-care technique. They may find the practice of writing out their thoughts to be comforting. Others may find that doing something more physical – like stretching for 10 minutes in the morning is more effective for them.
Make it Fun
Though self-care does have an element of discipline in it, there are also ways you can make it fun for yourself. Taking even an hour to turn off your phone and be in the present moment with loved ones that you feel safe with is a great example of that. You could also try out a new sport or activity – like painting or rollerblading.
Self-care is a continued practice, and it’s never too late to add a little bit more of it into your life.
