What Does “Self-Care” Mean Anyway?
Self-care. The term seems to be quite the hot topic these days. Amidst those dreaded winter blues, the need for self-care has become increasingly more critical on Elon’s campus.
But what really is self care? Is it throwing on a face mask and watching The Bachelor? It could be for some of us. But, self-care is a fluid term that can only be defined by you. If self-care is going for a run, getting a tub of cheeseballs from Walmart (you know the ones), or even just taking a nap, it’s whatever you need it to be to prioritize your mental, physical, and emotional health.
In this season of cold weather and approaching mid-terms, it’s important to press pause on your life. Take time for yourself, and prioritize your health. We’ve drafted a list of tips and advice about how to truly take care of different aspects of your health.
Get some serious sleep
Bad day? Go to bed. Feeling under the weather? Go to bed. Need to get away from people? Go to bed. And we don’t mean lay there and scroll endlessly through your phone. Sleep is instrumental in all aspects of wellness. A good night’s rest will always be beneficial, per your mom’s advice. If you’re up for a bit of a challenge, charge your phone on the other side of the room for the night to minimize distractions.
Excommunicate your ex
Stop looking at whatever your ex is up to because news flash—it doesn’t matter. Delete them from social media if you must. Focus on your goals, happiness, and well-being because you deserve to embrace your best self. Repeat after me: Your past relationships are not indicators of your value as a person. They’re just experiences that make you stronger. You’re allowed to dislike a person, but constantly tearing yourself up over where they are and what they’re doing provides no benefits for you whatsoever.
Maybe, like, don’t party every night
I personally suffer from FOMO. Believe me, I love getting dressed up after a long week and going out with my girls. But no matter how extroverted you are or how tempting that frat party may be, sometimes staying in is a better option to de-stress. Alcohol is a depressant and can negatively impact anyone’s emotional health. So give yourself a break by making the choice to stay in for the night. Don’t worry, there will always be another party.
Nicotine is not your friend
Many of us have shameless gone through our fair share of nicotine devices (sorry, Mom and Dad). But this year, try getting rid of the nicotine. Girl, it’s 2020. We know nicotine is bad for us, yet we’re still using it? Not a good look. Juuling not only kills your bank account but your lungs too. Nicotine lowers your immune system’s strength, making you more susceptible to illnesses. Besides, it’s basically just a glorified head buzz. It’s not that worth it, we promise.
For the rest of winter, remember the importance of prioritizing your health and happiness. It’s easy to get caught up in the woes of college life, but at the end of the day, it really is important to embrace self-care, whatever that may be for you. Don’t be afraid to try something new to see what works best for you!