No matter where you end up in life, self-care is vital to health. Without it, the stress of our daily lives and the world around us would infiltrate our wellness. It’s no doubt that we are all very busy people, but when you add education into the equation, suddenly your time becomes much more precious. Through finding small ways to prioritize and reset yourself, you are setting yourself up for success. As well, your chosen methods of self-care will be strategies that you can employ after graduation. So, read on to learn more about how I practice self-care as a TRU student.
Treat Yourself!
Pampering yourself is probably one of the most well-known methods of self-care. Many might think that this is done through buying a drink from Starbucks or maybe getting a massage. These are valid self-care methods. I love treating myself to a Grande Iced Chai with coconut milk, but if finances aren’t in favour of these, there are many other ways to pamper yourself. One of my favourite ways to practice self-care without spending money is to set aside time in my evening and do something for enjoyment. For me, this is usually reading, playing Sims, having a bath, or baking. It can be anything that you are doing simply because you like it and it fills your cup, not because you have to or you’re going to profit off of it. For others, this may be cooking, knitting, video games, or writing. Small things that you can do in your “you” time to feel good.
Counselling Services
While treating yourself is a great way to refill your cup, prioritizing mental health is the key to self-care. One of the major ways I do this is through using TRU Counselling Services. There is a large stigma around counselling but, rest assured, there is absolutely no shame in seeing a counsellor. University is hard and is full of major life changes. It is completely acceptable to seek help for these changes, talk about them, and get all your stressors off your chest. TRU’s Counselling Services aren’t there for only emotional support, they are also ready to guide you through career issues, academic issues, and any other personal issues you may be facing. I know many people who use these free services, even if it’s only just once a semester. I will always recommend using these services as a part of your self-care routine.
Get Active
I have always been told that there is a strong connection between mental health and physical health, and I wholeheartedly believe this to be true. If you are struggling with self-care, getting active is an excellent way to prioritize you and release endorphins, the well-being hormone. When I’m feeling super stressed, my response is to head to the gym. For myself, I enjoy running so that is what I do. Of course, you may be different and possibly prefer weightlifting, yoga, spin class, or swimming. No matter what, TRU has options for you to use this method for your self-care, as TRU Recreation offers daily fitness classes, and with a TRU student card you get access to the Tournament Capital Centre pool for free and 50% off the TCC gym membership. There are plenty of options out there for you to use exercise as a self-care technique.
During your time at TRU, finding your preferred way to practice self-care is super important. In order for you to have a great balance in your studies and prioritize your mental health, you’ll need to find an outlet somewhere. I hope that my go-to’s inspire you to find your own. My final piece of advice – try many things to see what works best for you!
Future Student Ambassador, Abby – Bachelor of Arts. “How I Practice Self Care as a TRU Student”, 9 Nov. 2022
