Making fun plans and de-stressing are the nature of weekends, but how can you make time for yourself during the school week? Amid a school year of late nights loaded with hours of homework and studying, taking time for myself became a task that plummeted on my list of priorities. Spending time doing things I love was something I embraced with eagerness, but as my workload of schoolwork increased, I simply didn’t have any free time. However, at the start of the new semester, I made a goal to set aside time for myself at least once during the school week.
Finding activities I enjoyed was the easy part, but balancing them with schoolwork was dizzying at first. Eventually, this downtime became integrated into my schedule; the most relaxing activities were the simplest: cleaning my room, taking an everything shower or cooking myself a balanced meal.
1. Take a self-care night
On nights with minimal homework, there is more time to de-stress. Finishing my must-do tasks as quickly as possible clears my evening schedule and makes way for my weekly staple: a self-care night. Taking time to do simple tasks like journaling or doing my hair are small but significant activities that can help me decompress. Low-tempo music and a long shower serve as simple yet essential activities in my routine to stay refreshed and ready for a good night’s sleep.
As I wrote in a review, yoga has become a staple in my weekly routine. Whether I’m stressed from a hectic school day or simply seeking some physical movement, going to a yoga studio or doing an at-home class on YouTube helps me ground myself and reset for the rest of the week. Additionally, research shows physical activity can alleviate stress, anxiety and other symptoms that may take a toll on mental readiness. Doing some form of physical activity two to three times a week for as little as 30 minutes helps me, as a busy student, feel stronger and boosts my mood for the week.
3. Get off your screens and get crafty
Since childhood, crafts like bedazzling and coloring books have remained popular ways to decompress, and they also serve as a break from screens. According to Mayo Clinic, coloring can help relieve stress by calming your brain and relaxing your body, simultaneously improving symptoms of fatigue. At the end of a stressful night, coloring has given me a mental break and helped me prepare for deeper sleep, which I believe is essential for facing academic challenges.
As I navigate the challenges of school, prioritizing self-care during my free time has become crucial for maintaining a balanced lifestyle. Making time for personal interests can serve as both a break from the chaos of life and motivation to continue working through the school year with determination. Finding time for yourself means discovering what works best for you, so when possible, try a new hobby or activity to see what helps you decompress and feel prepared for the week ahead.
