Throughout the year, many students and adults struggle to save time for themselves, myself included. Self-care is an essential part of maintaining good mental health and could help you in other aspects of your life. Self-care can look like many different things, but for myself, I will list the areas in which I like to take time for myself throughout the day and week.
Going to the Gym
Working out not only helps your physical health but also helps your mental health. Although the gym may be intimidating at first, there are many ways to workout that I personally partake in. One way is to do group fitness classes. I have loved taking spin classes with Jill at the SDFC. Weightlifting, swimming and cardio exercises are also great ways to get started at the gym.
Taking a Walk and Listening to Music
Another way I like to promote self-care and take time for myself is to walk around ASU’s campus and the surrounding area of Tempe. Walking releases endorphins into the body and reduces stress. I like to pair walking with listening to music; this really helps me relax and enjoy the landscape of Arizona.
Cooking
Another way I like to spend time for myself is by cooking a good home-cooked meal. I personally find the best recipes on TikTok. Although making a meal entirely from scratch takes time, I find it to be successful in the long run. If time is a factor, I typically make my sides one day and the meal a separate day. For example, I cook my rice and beans on Monday and my chicken the next.
Spa Day
Another aspect of self-care that I take part in is a spa day. On this day, I will light a candle (my personal favorite is the rosewater lily from Target) and throw in a bath bomb. I then do my skincare routine and put on a hair and face mask. After this, I usually pair this with a relaxing movie.
Watching TV
Last but not least, a good way to save time for yourself is to indulge in a good movie or TV show. Some of my personal favorites are RuPaul's Drag Race and Keeping Up with the Kardasians. This allows me to unplug and wind down after a long day.
These are some examples of ways you can incorporate self-care into your life. The hardest part for me in my self-care journey is actually setting time aside for such activities. I encourage others to schedule this self-care time into their schedules and put it on their calendars. This ensures you are taking the correct steps toward living a more mindful lifestyle.
Sammy Cristerna
Sophomore