Are you in touch with your mind as much as you are with your body?
Sometimes when we can’t physically see our brains, we forget to make sure they are well looked after. Especially when we are studying, having some proper ‘me’ time can be overlooked. Here are some tips to help you maintain a balance between work and rest;
Staying active is always a great way to unwind and can do wonders for your mental health. Exercise does not always have to be to meet a physical goal; merely going on a walk can instantly help you feel less stressed! You can even access lots of different activities online, without leaving your home at all. There are so many free, easily accessible resources that you can engage with at the click of a button. Whether yoga or cardio is your thing, why not try out a few different activities to shake up your day? Find all the links at the bottom of this article.
Time management is a super useful way to make sure that you have study time and time spent doing things you enjoy. Studying for long periods can be less productive than you may think. Overloading your brain with information can be overwhelming. Sometimes, revisiting material after a quick stress-relief is a better option. ‘Mindless’ activities can help give your mind the rest it needs; colouring is a personal favourite of mine. Or spend your time learning a new skill. For example, Duolingo allows you to learn a different language using a fun and interactive app that you can access on your phone. It’s important to have other interests and goals that you can focus on as well as your academic goals.
Having a routine is a great way to keep yourself focused and motivated, especially when studying at home. Something as simple as making sure to make your bed before you start your day can kick–start your brain into having a positive and productive start! Find out what works for you and make them into good habits that you can do every day to make you feel good. It also helps to have a structure to help guide your studies and your downtime – giving you things to look forward to and knowing when you can switch off.
Don’t be afraid to try out new ways to relax. Bad habits can be hard to break, but even making the slightest change can make a huge difference. If you find yourself unable to rest your mind at the end of the day, try something new! Mindfulness can help reset yourself, and many free, online resources can be used. It can guide you through any specific worries you may have and help you find your own healthy headspace. Journaling is also another way to express yourself. It may not work for everyone, but it is always worth a try; writing down how you may be feeling can be very therapeutic. It gives you an outlet specifically for you, where you don’t need to worry about spelling or grammar. You can do whatever you like! Music is also a massive help to me. Making playlists that I can stick on whenever I’m feeling unmotivated always gives me a pep in my step!
And lastly, many of us can be guilty of using our free time to endlessly scroll on social media. This isn’t always a negative thing and can be used for so many positive interactions. But sometimes we don’t realise that this can be doing more harm than good! We are all subjective to looking at seemingly ‘perfect’ lifestyles of others and comparing ourselves. Why not try to add a few accounts dedicated to being positive and helping you have confidence in yourself? Check out the resources section at the end of the post for some gems that will help break up your feed and give you a burst of positivity every day. This always ensures that I am reminded that I am strong, capable, and confident, even when I really don’t feel like it!
