10 Simple Wellness Tips
- Start your day with a glass of water
Sometimes, it can be easy to forget that we need 8 glasses of water a day. College students can have such busy schedules, but staying hydrated can help you manage stress by allowing you to take a moment to be mindful and take care of your basic physical needs. Caffeinated drinks such as coffee, energy, drinks, soft drinks, and black tea do not count towards the daily 8-glass goal and can actually promote dehydration.
- Stretch your body
Stretching is a great form of exercise that allows you to relieve body tension and improve blood flow. Stretching regularly can help keep muscles flexible, strong, and healthy, but it can also help you cope with stress. Stretching can be a great way to help yourself wake up in the morning before class or to wind down gently at the end of the day if you have been sitting for long periods of time throughout the day.
- Limit your screen time
Reducing screen time can give you more time to spend outside or on other hobbies and interests. High amounts of screen time can lead to sleep difficulties and physical strain on the eyes and body from sitting and focusing for long periods of time.
- Find 2-3 things you are grateful for each day
Focusing on gratitude throughout the day can help you to experience more positive emotions. Feeling and expressing gratitude daily can improve your relationships and give you the opportunity to recognize small positive things in your life that may often go unnoticed.
- Develop healthy daily rituals
Self-care isn’t simply about “treating yourself.” Instead, daily rituals are about meaningful practices and creating space for positive actions throughout the day that help you manage stress. The goal of these rituals is to create a sense of self-care and harmony in every day. We are all guilty of skipping self-care to manage our busy schedules, but rituals go beyond valuing yourself when you have time. Rituals are about prioritizing your own wellness and recognizing that we are most productive when we can manage our stress and make time to meet our own needs. You can read more about the difference between a daily ritual and a daily routine here!
How Are Daily Rituals Different from Daily Routines? (lifehack.org)
- Wind down before bed
Reducing physical and mental stimulation before bed can help us wind down for better sleep. What some people think is relaxing may be stimulating to other people, and that is why it is important to find what works for you. This can take some experimenting and some examples may include setting your phone down, drinking warm tea, stretching, or reading a good book for a few minutes before bed. Sleep is essential and can improve our daily functioning, so it is worth taking time out of our day to create a healthier sleep schedule.
- Try to have good posture throughout the day
Being intentional about our posture throughout the day can improve blood flow and alertness. It can also help us avoid neck/back injuries and discomfort. Creating a daily awareness about our posture can support us to check in with ourselves throughout the day and become more aware of our overall wellbeing.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins and minerals that we need to maintain better health. They can also help you feel energized to take on a busy day. Both fruits and vegetables have variety to keep you from feeling bored with your choices, and they can be an easy snack to grab on the go!
- Spend time with good people
Spending time with people we enjoy can help us manage stress and find more joy in daily things. They try to help us feel supported and understood in times when we are struggling. When you are trying to create a happy life for yourself, it can be helpful to be surrounded by people that share similar values and goals. Beginning new relationships and friendships can feel scary at first, but it may be helpful to realize that other people feel that way too! They might even be hoping that someone else will make the first move and start a conversation with them just like you are. Although it can be scary, it is beneficial and certainly worth your time to improve your overall wellness by creating relationships with people that you can have fun with.
- Don’t be afraid to seek help from friends, family, or a counselor
Talking to your friends and family can be helpful when you are in need of some extra support or an outside perspective. Our close friends and family seem to have a way of cheering us up when we are down. Sometimes, you may need more support than that. It can be nerve wracking to seek counseling if you have never been before, but counseling can be an effective treatment for a variety of mental and emotional problems. It can be healing to voice your worries and struggles, and it feels good to be listened to and understood. You don’t have to be diagnosed with a mental health problem to pursue the benefits of counseling. People go to counseling for everyday concerns like relationship problems, academic stress, and struggles with self-esteem. To learn more about the services available at Western Wyoming Community College please visit https://www.westernwyoming.edu/student-life/campus-amenities/wellbeing-accessibility/index.php
