Stress takes over. All the activities you enjoyed at one point in your life become boring. You might be confused about what’s going on, but it’s probably burnout and you need to do something about it. It’s time to make your needs a priority and not just with charcoal face masks and yoga — the real thing includes discovering your interests and developing a healthy routine that can be practiced everyday.
As a teenager, balancing school and possibly work can seem difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. Learning self-care and implementing it into your daily routine is a way to keep you from reaching burnout, that feeling that arises from constant work and stress. Self-care has evolved as society has evolved. It has become a vital part of caring for mental health. Here are some tips on how you can improve your skills in self-care.
Skincare
Creating a skincare routine has become a popular trend on platforms like TikTok. Skin is an organ, so it needs to be taken care of or issues could arise. Skincare is a way to create a routine for morning and night. Purchasing facial cleanser and a moisturizer with SPF in it is a great way to start the journey. Researchers at the National Library of Medicine have said cleanser will keep your pores clear and the moisturizer will protect skin from sun damage.
Cleaning
Cleaning is a chore that many people may not want to do, but it is self-care. Picking up your room and decluttering can help clear your mind as well as the floor. Therapists on the website, Oxford CBT, mention a clean space is a good way to stay relaxed. Cleaning your room might seem like a hassle, but in reality, the task is a simple way of helping yourself. The National Sleep Foundation suggests starting the morning by making your bed. This simple yet effective habit could make all of the difference when you come home after a long day of school or work. If you find yourself having a hard time making this habit stick, make it into a fun challenge by timing yourself to see how fast you can complete it, or make it a time to listen to your favorite podcast or music.
Studying
Studying is a solution to getting good grades, but most people don’t find it to be very relaxing. You should start by figuring out which techniques work best for you. One way of studying will not work for everyone. Remember, don’t keep everything for the last minute—start working on the study guide the day the teacher gives it to you, not the night before the test. Repetition is a key to learning. Researchers at Victoria University, recommend spreading out studying throughout multiple days, so you aren’t staying up late cramming for the test the night before.
Sleeping
Many high schoolers have developed an unhealthy sleep schedule over the years. It might seem fine when you’re out of bed and getting ready to walk out the door in the morning, but staying up too late has consequences, even if they aren’t extremely noticeable. The National Institutes of Health says getting at least eight hours of sleep can help your mood and brain functions. If falling asleep can be hard, researchers at Cleveland Clinic have learned it’s better to stop looking at digital screens at least an hour before bed. Instead, you can start reading a book with dim lighting.
Eating
The food and drinks you consume are important. There’s nothing wrong with the occasional sweet treat, but you need to balance it with healthy food that can satisfy your mind and soul. Not necessarily just salads, but a real meal. Learning to cook can be a hobby that also allows you to eat full meals with grain, fruits, and vegetables as the CDC suggests. Just a simple Pinterest search gives you thousands of healthy meal ideas. Drinking water is also a must. Invest in a water bottle to take to school and drink it throughout the day. If you ever get bored with water, flavored mineral water and tea are options to try.
Journaling
Journaling is a great option to stay organized or to express pent-up feelings. The writing doesn’t always have to be a “Dear diary” entry, but it can be a time where you decompress after a rough day or a time to celebrate and relish after something really good happened. Being able to mark the tasks you’ve completed is a way to keep yourself motivated to finish things. The University of Rochester Medical Center points out that writing can help prioritize emotional wellness. Your journal can be used in whatever way you want. If you’re struggling with starting, a good way could be downloading an app on your phone to type in and eventually moving on to a physical journal.
