In September, we find ourselves in Self-Care Awareness Month. While it still feels like the student population is only starting the school year, we are already eight weeks in. As everybody settles into daily life at school, there’s no doubt that pressure and stress are already appearing as well. In that case, now is the perfect time to find ways to ease all anxious feelings.
Sometimes, there may be circumstances where you cannot easily find ways to wind down. Additionally, there are many kids out there who do not have access to professional help or advanced ways of meditation. Some kids don’t know the first thing about relieving stress. What are you to do then?
Fortunately, there is quite a simple solution to this. While not all kids may have the liberty of a fancy bathtime to relax in, there’s always the opportunity for more straightforward and accessible ways to take a break. A survey was conducted asking students to name activities that help put them at ease. By sharing these results, you can take inspiration from these many examples and find solace in at least one of these pastimes.
First off, let’s start with things that you can do indoors. Some students say watching television or some form of screened entertainment is an easy way to relax. Some other things that students like to do on their devices are calling their loved ones and listening to music.
Some students also like to take the creative approach, stating they like to draw, write, and even crochet. Kids even find comfort in the kitchen, as Lily Shelton affirmed.“I also really enjoy baking, even if it does momentarily make me more stressed, because it yields results I can share with others.”
You can do things outside the comfort of your own home. “Soccer, and before you say anything, yes, it’s challenging, but getting to hang out with my teammates is a much-needed break from everything,” said Sam Bingaman. “There is not much drama, and they don’t care about what I do.” Several students also said they enjoy physical activities such as sports, walking, and biking.
Being outdoors, many students also acknowledged the opportunity to hang out with their significant other, friends, and their pets. Students also seem to enjoy observing and interacting with nature. With the whole world to explore, there’s just so much to do and find.
How do you really know if these activities are the best for you? Remember, practicing self-care is meant to be for yourself, so it would be good to figure out what you actually need. Alyssa Westring said this precisely in a Harvard Business Review article, “Look for patterns. What makes you feel good? What makes you feel overwhelmed and anxious? Now begin creating your own understanding of what self-care looks like to you.”
To top it all off, building a positive mindset is always recommended. While there’s no guarantee you may be in the best condition, it’s a lot more straightforward than you think. Tchiki Davis elaborated on this in a Psychology Today article: “To generate positive emotions, we can try thinking positively, being more optimistic, savoring the good moments, or even doing loving-kindness meditation.” Start with small steps to incorporate positive energy into your life, and things will start to look up bit by bit.
While self-care and the healing process may look different for everyone, there will always be a chance to work on yourself and improve your state of mind. It may be a slow journey or a confusing trip, but if we can find solace in the tiniest things, the fog will clear up eventually. So, remember to treat yourself to a nice break, and Happy Self-Care Awareness Month!
