What is self-care?
Self-care is not just about limiting or addressing factors that may cause stress in your life, but also about enhancing your well-being even when you may not have any stressors at the moment. There is no “one-size-fits-all” self-care plan, but there are similarities in all self-care plans (e.g., making a commitment to attend to physical and psychological health, emotional and spiritual needs, relationships).
Why is self-care important?
Self-care is often used as a response to stress, rather than as a proactive practice that lessens the impact of stress when it occurs in one’s life. Engaging in consistent and individualized self-care is essential to reducing stress and burnout and to maintaining your well-being now and in the future. Considering the busy and strenuous schedule of a college student on top of the rare circumstances during this pandemic, self-care is incredibly important in order to accomplish everything that you want.
Here are three aspects of self-care that one might consider when thinking about their own self-care practices and goals:
- Individuality: there is no “one-size-fits-all” self-care plan or self-care strategy this will work for every individual.
- Consistency: this includes specifying when and where one might incorporate their self-care strategy in their daily life.
- Follow-up: whether it be with a friend, mentor, or yourself.
Still not sure how to create a self-care plan or some self-care goals?
Download the Self-Care Booklet!
In the booklet you will find some information about self-care and why it is important, learn about some evidence-based stress-reduction strategies you might want to incorporate into your self-care goals, be able to take a self-care assessment, and then make some goals for yourself.