Weekly-Reflection – Student Pressures – Week 3
I really related to the image attached with a student being pulled every which way, where on each side there is work, commute, family, and self-care on every corner of the image. This image made me feel seen as sometimes I find it so difficult to balance everything going on in my life. Since I am now in my forth year it has become easier to manage with balancing all aspects of my life however, to be transparent this semester has I really related to the image attached with a student being pulled every which way, where on each side there is work, commute, family, and self-care on every corner of the image. This image made me feel seen, as sometimes I find it so difficult to balance everything going on in my life. Since I am now in my fourth year, it has become easier to manage balancing all aspects of my life; however, to be transparent, this semester has been the most stressful I have had yet. I just started a new job, which has a long commute to Langford, and balancing the start of that with the heaviest semester I have ever had has been a struggle. As mentioned in the recording from class it says that 45 minutes is the maximum time someone would be willing to drive before they would want to switch there preference to online; even though this is specific for school I also related to this for work because in heavy traffic my commute can become up to an hour long and that is something that has made me reflect. I realized that I have been stressed more than normal recently and started to reflect on why. I realized a major factor was due to the lack of self-care in my current daily routine. I realized this week that I wanted to incorporate self-care into my routine daily because if my mental health is not good, then it affects all aspects of my life negatively.
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/caring-for-your-mental-health
This article shows that the top self-care tips they suggest are:
- Get regular exercise. Just 30 minutes of walking every day can boost your mood and improve your health. Small amounts of exercise add up, so donât be discouraged if you canât do 30 minutes at one time.
- Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated. A balanced diet and plenty of water can improve your energy and focus throughout the day. Pay attention to your intake of caffeine and alcohol and how they affect your mood and well-beingâfor some, decreasing caffeine and alcohol consumption can be helpful.
- Make sleep a priority. Stick to a schedule, and make sure youâre getting enough sleep. Blue light from devices and screens can make it harder to fall asleep, so reduce blue light exposure from your phone or computer before bedtime.
- Try a relaxing activity. Explore relaxation or wellness programs or apps, which may incorporate meditation, muscle relaxation, or breathing exercises. Schedule regular times for these and other healthy activities you enjoy, such as listening to music, reading, spending time in nature, and engaging in low-stress hobbies.
- Set goals and priorities. Decide what must get done now and what can wait. Learn to say ânoâ to new tasks if you start to feel like youâre taking on too much. Try to appreciate what you have accomplished at the end of the day.
- Practice gratitude. Remind yourself daily of things you are grateful for. Be specific. Write them down or replay them in your mind.
- Focus on positivity. Identify and challenge your negative and unhelpful thoughts.
- Stay connected. Reach out to friends or family members who can provide emotional support and practical help.
After practicing gratitude daily, setting daily small goals to accomplish, ensuring that I get 8 hours of sleep every night, and making fulfilling, balanced meals, I feel a significant increase in my overall happiness. Reflecting on this allowed me to make a change I have been needing to make since moving into my new place in September!