It can be quite difficult to manage a social life, studying, and personal wellbeing during exam season, but it’s incredibly important to make sure that we’re keeping up with our self-care for our own happiness and motivation.
Here are a few tips on different forms of self-care and how to try and implement them into your daily life.
Y0ga or stretching
I enjoy a quick session of yoga in the morning, usually I do this by following a YouTube session or with a yoga app. Taking a few minutes out of the morning to simply let your muscles relax and stretch is incredibly beneficial to your physical health as well as mental, by allowing ourselves to breathe and start off the day in a relaxed state, you can carry the dopamine with you throughout your day.
Journaling or doodling
Instead of taking a break from studying by scrolling on my phone or watching a movie, I set aside a few minutes for some quick journaling or doodling. I usually write out how my day went and how I felt during it.
It can also be beneficial to include a few ‘habit-trackers’ in your journals or doodles such as tracking how much water you drink a day or how many books you read.
Socialising
Humans are social creatures, so it’s incredibly important for our happiness that we try to remain social even when we are busy. Try finding some space in your day to get lunch with a friend or even have a partner to study with you!
Not everyone will be able to go out for a drink or lunch, so if no one seems available, a quick call-break can also be beneficial.
Healthy eating
It can become quite easy to neglect our bodies as we rush to make lunch and breakfast out of necessity rather than to enjoy it. Instead of making quick and easy meals, take thirty minutes or an hour out of your day to find a recipe and make something good for your body that you’ll enjoy eating.
Sleeping patterns
During exam seasons I can find myself sleeping and waking up at incredibly late hours, not only does this not help the exhaustion but it also causes us to feel more tired and less motivated for work. A good sleeping pattern of roughly eight hours a night is healthy for us physically and mentally, so it’s important to try and keep a good rhythm even during our busiest times.
Keeping a tidy room
I can find myself neglecting my room as I work through my busy days, not prioritizing tidying up and keeping things clean. However, when working in a negative environment, it can severely impact how productive we are as well as how happy we feel in that environment. Simple things like making our beds, wiping down counters, and packing away our clothes can keep us feeling motivated and happy as we work.
Spa days
A great way to wind-down and relax after a long day or difficult study session is with a spa day. You can choose to do this alone at the end of your day or even invite some friends over by buying a few facemasks, listening to relaxing music or podcasts, and enjoying some snacks.
These are the main tips that I try and stick to as I’m working and studying, but there are many others out there to try that might help you!