With the school year wrapping up, you can let out a deep, collective sigh of relief. For many of you, the momentary pause does not last long as your summer is brimming with sun-filled activities.
But what would that moment look like if you allowed yourself to rest a little longer? Being a student in the modern world has several advantages but the constant activity in your brains can make you feel both mentally and physically fatigued. Between schoolwork, socializing with friends and participating in fun hobbies, finding time to rest is usually an afterthought.
One goal you can have for the summer is allowing yourself to reset and recharge in a more mindful way. Self-care is the practice of participating in activities that strengthens your sense of being. Now is an opportune time to start practicing self-care if it is new to you or build upon the practices you already established. Here are a few suggestions.
- Put away your phone. Continuously checking your phones overstimulate your brain and can lead to mental fatigue. Enjoy the other subtleties in life. Your notifications will always remain.
- Organize your items. You can take a page out of Marie Kondo’s magical world of tidying up to create spaces with less physical and mental clutter. Cleaning can help free your mind to focus on other important items and leave you with more positive energy.
- Express your gratitude. “Negativity breeds contempt” as they say and what better way to combat that then to share what you are thankful for in life. Take a few moments out of your day to write down or say aloud your thanks.
- Develop a physical wellness plan. While exercising may sound unappealing, fitness does not have to consist of daily workouts at the gym. Perhaps you can consider leisurely strolling through your neighborhood or hiking Utah’s many trails. Continued exercise can help improve your mood and lower your stress levels.
- Ask for help. While the word “self” is found in “self-care,” you can never do everything on your own. Fortunately, help comes in many different forms. It can be a simple request for inspiring music from loved ones or asking someone to accompany you for a leisurely walk. Sometimes, help requires more and speaking to a licensed professional can help you navigate emotional hardships if you are in this position.
Hopefully these small ideas are beneficial to you as you begin your summer break. We listed additional resources for more helpful tips:
- How to Practice Self-Care – Equality Utah
- The Journey to Well-Being – Intermountain Healthcare
- SafeUT Crisis Chat and Tip Line – SafeUT Smartphone App
- Health and Wellness – Utah Department of Human Services
The Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs will also offer two conferences in the fall and spring in the upcoming school year for middle and high school students, respectively. We hope you remain engaged with us.
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