SELF-CARE WHEN DEALING WITH ACADEMIC STRESS

Hey beautiful person reading this :) I hope you are feeling a bit better than last week, yesterday or even this morning!

As you can tell from the title of this blog, i will be discussing the importance of practicing self-care when you are dealing with academic stress.

You know when they say "Academics are killing the youth" ? They are talking about ME!!

Last week your girl was down BAD, I was gowishing (going through the most) because of Uni. I did absolutely nothing that concerned school work, i was attending my zoom consultations but the math was NOT "mathing" because i was sooooo behind. I would complain about being overwhelmed with school work but your good sis here did NADA about it. And i know that this is relatable to so many of you, so i decided that i should share my 'realisation'.

I have realised that rest is soooo important( no like seriously), when they say "rest bafwethu,rest"- they mean it. Your body knows you best. So, take a day off! Decide on a particular day where you don't have lectures, tests or an assignment due and take that day as your day off. I mean come on guys, even God rested on the seventh day. I know you may be saying how you can do this when "due at 11:59pm" is staring at you from your laptop, but i promise you it is possible!! One thing you should know is that if you don't give yourself a day to relax, your body will pick it for you.

Here are some tips on how to practice self-care:

- Have an adequate amount of sleep( +- 8hrs)

- Eat food that is healthy and beneficial for your body ( DO NOT SKIP MEALS- unless you are fasting)

- Exercise frequently, engage in yoga and pilates

- Go outside, feel the sun and touch the grass like it's a Gospel video

- Get yourself organised ( keep a diary, journal, weekly planner etc.)

- Cook your favourite meal, bake, partake in activities that you enjoyed before you came to Uni

- Drink water!

- Repeat positive affirmations

- Revise your end goal everyday (i.e why are you studying this degree?)

- Listen to your favourite music, motivational podcasts, watch your fav show

Another way that i keep myself sane and make sure i engage in self-care is by following and interacting with positive IG pages such as @selfcareisapriority @themantraco , these pages offer me the support i need to keep my head above the water.

Remember that taking a day or even a few hours off is NOT being counterproductive, it is actually BEING PRODUCTIVE!

Breathe and take it one day at a time because really how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. And remember what Mac Miller said on his song,

"Self care, I'm treatin' me right

Hell yea, we're gonna be alright"

-Mac Miller, Self Care (2018)

WE ARE GONNA BE ALRIGHT

I am wishing you a wonderful, prosperous week ahead!!

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