Hi PNMs!
Finals week is officially upon us! I hope all of you have had an amazing fall semester! For many of you, this was your first time living away from home and balancing rigorous college courses with extracurriculars. So, pat yourself on the back and remember how far you've come! Finals week can be a stressful time, and it's easy to get overwhelmed. It's important to remember that while academics are a main priority, exams do not define your worth. Put your best foot forward - that's all that you can do.
It's important to practice wellness throughout the semester, especially during finals week. Wellness means implementing habits that help you to attain better physical and mental health. Instead of meeting just your basic needs or doing the bare minimum, you are thriving! While it may seem simple, wellness is extremely important, especially as a college student. In a semester full of classes, assignments, club meetings, sports, and social events, it can be challenging to remember to make time for yourself.
Here are some tips that you can implement to improve wellness:
Waking up and going to sleep at a consistent time
Getting enough sleep is crucial for both mental and physical health. Not getting the proper sleep can increase stress levels, mess with your mental clarity and focus, along with many other negative side effects. One way to help regulate your sleep is to be consistent with when you go to bed and wake up. This helps your body find a natural sleep pattern!
Spending time outside
Spending time in nature can do amazing things for your mental health. Being in a calming environment without excessive stimulation from screens or noise can help restore your mental clarity and focus. Taking that small break can help you be much more productive when you return to work!
Move your body daily
Exercising daily is essential for wellness. It helps boost your energy, improves your mood, and reduces stress. There are so many simple ways to move your body. You can go for a super chill walk, do some light yoga, or even go swimming!
Limit screen time before bed
It's tempting to go on your phone at the end of the night when you've finally completed all of your work for the day. Sometimes, I feel like I could stay up all night scrolling. However, it's super important to limit this as much as you can. Going on your phone at night can reduce the overall quality of your sleep, as it disturbs your brain's normal rhythms. Try reading a book or listening to some calming music instead!
Self-care
Self-care is important for many reasons. Firstly, it helps you maintain a good relationship with yourself. It sends the message that you deserve to be taken care of and to be the healthiest version of yourself. Self-care also improves your mental and physical health overall. Self-care comes in many different forms. It could be a skincare routine, a quick stretch, or fueling yourself with healthy food!
Implement a relaxing bedtime routine
One of my favorite self-care activities is my bedtime routine! As a college student, it's one of the only times I can prioritize wellness. I like to do things that relax me, such as coloring, listening to music, or even having some tea or a sweet treat!
As Panhellenic women, we prioritize the wellness of each member. Our goal is to create a sisterhood on campus in which we are pushed and encouraged to be the best version of ourselves! Each chapter's values and creeds remind their members to prioritize their own mental and physical well-being. In order to be there for your sisters, you have to be there for yourself!
Everyone has their unique ways of practicing wellness! Finding activities that you enjoy doing and setting aside time for them is super important! Hear from council about some of their favorite ways to practice wellness:
“When prioritizing my mental health and managing my stress levels I try to make sure to create time for myself. I am the type of person who always has something going on because of my multiple involvements, which does not leave a lot of time for myself. I make it a priority to put myself first and take at least an hour to myself every day. During this time I try to relax and either listen to music or read. This helps manage my stress because usually when I am alone I am doing school work or studying, but this specific hour is time put aside for things that I enjoy rather than time for my work.”
“Doing yoga has really helped my mental health especially during midterms and finals. It’s a space where I only focus on myself and how I feel. I also love taking one night out of the week dedicated to me time.”
“Journaling, Reading, and finding time to prioritize things I enjoy!”
Thank you so much for reading, and good luck on finals! Stay tuned for our next blog post, Recruitment 101! It will have all the helpful information for formal recruitment weekend, including conversation tips, outfit inspiration, and what to expect for each round!
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