Self-care is super important, y’all

By: Samuel Smith, Columnist

Self-care. What is it? Self-care is any behavior that you choose to do that improves mental or physical health. So why am I talking about it? I’ve noticed the last couple of semesters, especially the beginning of this one, that I’ve been neglecting taking care of myself in favor of focusing on work and school. While getting work out of the way can be beneficial and a form of self-care, it can get into unhealthy territories. So, what do you do if you find yourself starting to neglect yourself?

Take baby steps in your self-care journey. You don’t have to do anything super out there. Even going for a small walk can be helpful in refreshing and restarting your brain. Plus, spring is here, the weather is really nice now! You can also buy a small, nice face mask that aligns with what your skin needs (A quick Google search can help you find what you may need) and pamper your face for a night. Put on makeup, play guitar or do something you enjoy even if just for five minutes.

If you’re feeling a little more ambitious, traveling can be a great way to explore the area around you. Go with a friend for safety and for extra fun. Pro-tip: A round trip from Penn Station (our nearest train station) and Union Station in Washington D.C. is $18, and there are tons of free museums and things to do in D.C. You can also carpool to the Inner Harbor or to the different museums or other things to do in Baltimore. Keep your eyes peeled on social media to find free or low-cost things to do in the areas you love the most, and take a weekend to get some fresh air and maybe learn something new.

Finally, take care of your health! If you haven’t seen your primary care doctor/general practitioner in a year, stop by and say hi. Preventative care is so important, and so is making sure your vaccines are up to date, and that your body is in tip-top shape! If you’re struggling with mental health issues, such as feeling down, having mood swings, having issues with sleeping, having trouble concentrating or struggling in any way with mental health or illness, reaching out can be so helpful. Reaching out for help before it becomes a crisis is so important. The counseling center is a good place to start if you don’t know where to start with getting mental health help. They offer a bunch of different resources. It’s super helpful.

It’s important to take care of yourself, y’all. Self-care comes in many forms, and they’re all super important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Take care of yourself, thank yourself later.

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