4 Self-Care Reminders for Students
As we start a new semester, the pressure of papers, exams, and increased workloads can be overwhelming and extremely stressful. Self-care is often one of the first things we tend to give up during these stressful times, however, it’s one of the most important things we need to incorporate into our routines.
Here are some manageable self care strategies that can help students minimize stress:
Prioritize sleep! If it is possible a sleep schedule is even more critical during stressful times. Remember, we can catch up on sleep missed and it’s often the first thing we cut back on during stressful and busy schedules. Remember we can never make-up missed sleep, so it’s really important you aren’t operating from a sleep deficit.
Plan, plan, plan. Have a plan in place and we are talking more about just a 5-day study plan for that big Statistics exam. Create a schedule that doesn’t just account for studying, but also accounts for your sleep, times to eat a healthy move and move your body. Don’t forget to also include time for your daily routines/rituals.
Take intentional breaks. It might sound counterintuitive, however, breaks are a critical part of self-care during stressful times. Breaks shouldn’t be the latest Netflix binge, however, instead be more intentional. Keep breaks to between 5-15 minutes (with a longer break, after every few short breaks and working chunks). Try to incorporate your self-care strategies into this breaks. Some great examples include walking your dog, stretching, working out, getting a snack, talking to a family member or friend.
Treat yourself! Rewards can be a powerful motivator in self care. Whether it’s rewarding yourself for completing an exam or showing up to office hours for a study review session, tiny rewards sprinkled throughout your routine.
Professional Support for Lasting Success
These tips can help, but building lasting habits often requires consistent effort and support. If you are tired of daily conflicts and are looking for expert guidance, professional coaching can make all the difference.
The Student Program is our specialized executive function coaching program designed to help students build practical skills for school success and life readiness. It provides your child with personalized tools and coaching to manage daily tasks, get organized, and feel confident about their future. It also reduces family stress by taking parents out of the "nagging" role, helping your student reach their full potential with less conflict at home.
Discover how our program can provide the support your family needs to navigate school and beyond with more confidence.