No Sleep, No Peace? The Self-Care Reset Guide
- Renee Ellis
- Aug 29
- 7 min read
By | Renee Ellis
Stress can be the true killer of all joy - something that too many of us college students know to be true. From classes to tests and assessments, to trying to blend in socially, college hits us with stress from every angle. It can be very hard to balance all our responsibilities, while meeting everyone's expectations, and still find time to grow up into mature adults. That’s a lot to ask, yet many of us take it all on - or at least attempt to. College students are notorious for all-nighters, questionable coping mechanisms, and unreasonable sleep schedules. However, we rarely find time for self-care. If we are not careful, all the stress that we face will soon catch up with us. This can lead to serious health concerns. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Stress that's not dealt with can lead to many health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, obesity, and diabetes.” While we are young, it is crucial that we get ahead of the curve. Having serious health ailments later in life is no fun, especially when they can be avoided. Additionally, it is important that we develop healthier habits now so we can carry them into our adult lives, not continue to foster toxic practices. However, to do better, we must know better. Thankfully, here at The Element Magazine, we hope to share with you a self-care reset! This guide is meant to be used as a reference to help you begin to develop your own self-care routine that is realistic, manageable, and will yield positive results in your social, physical, emotional, and spiritual lives. So, be ready to take notes. Here is the ultimate self-care guide.
First, it is important to understand that all over the world, people share their self-care tips and tricks continuously. Social media is not short of self-proclaimed mental health professionals and lifestyle advisors. However, this guide is meant to help you look at self-care in a whole new light: as a (probably not rich or famous yet) college student. Self-care can look different for industry professionals with a steady income and consistent schedule. However, in college, for many of us, each day looks different, and each one comes with its own set of challenges and uncertainties. There is not much consistency and an even greater lack of funds in college, so we wish to take that into consideration. This guide is adaptable, realistic, interchangeable, and for the everyday college student.
To begin, let’s start with the mind:
Mental Self-Care
I believe mental self-care is the most crucial of them all, especially for college students. Every day, we are asked to expand our minds, problem solve, and rethink in new ways. This is great for us academically, but can also lead to mental stress and burnout. I have found that the best way to combat mental burnout and fatigue is to allow your brain to catch up with all the activities, stress, new learning, and overall life you participate in. We all need time to recover, and this especially includes our brains. Give your mind a chance to rest. Ways to do this include, but are not limited to:
Scheduling in sleep: I know, sleep is a rare commodity in college, but it truly is very important. Your brain needs that time to rest, recover, and prepare itself for the upcoming day. With all the deadlines we must meet as college students, make sleeping a deadline. Literally, schedule time to sleep to ensure that you get enough rest at least one day out of the week.
Take brain pauses: When was the last time you did nothing? Probably before college, well, take 5 or so minutes - not too long at all - and just pause. Focus on your breathing. Try not to stress or think too much, just for 5 minutes. Don’t look at your phone or a device, just sit and be present for a couple of minutes out of your day.
Do fun brain activities: If you’re anything like me, it can be hard not to be active or do something. I personally love to keep myself busy and stay productive (which is another reason why brain pauses are so useful). However, you can still be active and caring for your mental health as well. You can do fun brain activities, aka hobbies! Find activities or things that allow you to escape from reality for a second and be solely for entertainment purposes. Hobbies are so important, and it is crucial that we have them as college students.
Let it out: Please, find a trusted adult to talk to (sometimes talking to peers can be like the blind leading the blind). No one should have to hold all their struggles in. Even if direct communication is not your thing, pray, journal, create art, etc. Find an outlet and allow yourself to let go of the frustration, hurt, and complicated emotions you might be feeling.
Next is my favorite:
Spiritual Self-Care
Spiritual self-care is often overlooked, but it is so important for your overall well-being. I could be falling apart in every way, but if my spiritual health is good, things don’t feel as bad. To care for your spiritual health, I highly suggest fellowship and edification. First, fellowship is the gathering of like-minded individuals who break bread, enjoy each other’s company, and pour life into each other. Having good relationships and quality time with the people who mean the most to you is so rewarding. Allow those around you to pour into you. Allow them to encourage you and uplift you, and all the things that you wish to do. However, even if it's just having a good laugh with friends or going to do something fun like going to the movies, those are all ways to enjoy the company of those around you. Also, moments like that can't be bought. Living in those moments and having quality time is what life is about. That is truly living. Edification is participating and engaging in things that uplift your soul. Edification can look different for many people depending on whether you’re religious or not; however, it is important that you surround yourself with things and people that pour into you. Be very mindful of your environment and the things that you allow to have access to you. This might mean changing the music you listen to, changing the places you frequent, or maybe even being around new people. Surround yourself with things that radiate positivity and good energy, and cut out all the things in your life that drain you.
Now for the one we tend to neglect most:
Emotional Self-Care
Emotional self-care can be hard for many of us. Not everyone is as in tune with their emotions, or was brought up to express their emotions. Sometimes being vulnerable can feel scary or unfamiliar. That is why I believe emotional self-care can be as simple as just allowing yourself to feel the way that you feel. Not everyone has to know your emotional state all the time, but if you are able to identify the emotions that you're feeling, that is what is most important. Please don't stuff down your feelings. Allow yourself to feel every emotion that you feel. Your feelings are valid, your experiences are real, and you deserve to be seen, even if that just means you allow yourself to be emotional. I know today, oftentimes, emotional people are seen as soft or incapable. However, that can be no further from the truth. Being emotional does not mean you're weak or lesser than. Allowing yourself to feel your emotions and know how to properly function with them means you are emotionally mature. It is a sign of someone becoming a real adult. Additionally, to care for yourself emotionally, please be mindful of the things that you say to yourself. Negative self-talk is a great way to discourage yourself from allowing negative thinking to control you. Practice positive self-talk and speaking to yourself with kindness. If you love yourself, you can love others. If you do not love yourself, you are not able to love others. To show up as your best self, allow yourself to be emotional and to feel how you feel, and also be mindful of the way that you speak to yourself. Both things will allow you to be honest with yourself and others and to love yourself and others. Truth and love are two things we all need.
Last, but certainly not least!
Physical Self-Care
For physical self-care, many people exercise and work out, which is great! Exercising, building muscle, burning fat, and acquiring your ideal physique are all amazing things. Personally, I like to practice physical self-care by dancing - and not professionally either. A good line dance will get me all the way together! Dancing for me is fun, low stress, and a good way to get up and move my body and get some fresh air. I highly recommend it, but if dancing is not for you, find other ways to get outside, move your body, and exercise, even if it's not a traditional workout. Going on a hot girl walk, stretching, or even doing physical exercise through activities like volunteering are all great ways of caring for yourself physically. Additionally, if you're able to be mindful of the things that you eat. I know in college, oftentimes trying to follow a diet plan can be very difficult; however, making small changes can make a big impact. If you can find ways to sneak more greens into your diet or to avoid certain foods that you know are not good for you, it will be a great way to uplift yourself physically.
The great news about self-care is that every aspect of it is tied to the others. Caring for yourself mentally will allow you to take care of yourself physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Caring for yourself spiritually can allow you to take care of yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically, and so on. Our bodies run almost like machines. It is important that we fuel ourselves and upkeep our bodies so that we continue to be our best selves. If you do not show up for yourself, no one else will, so it is important that you advocate for yourself and take time to take care of yourself. Self-care shouldn't be a luxury; it should be a necessity. It is something that we all need, and I encourage everyone to really pour into themselves this summer and into the upcoming school year.
Sources
“How Stress Affects Your Body and Behavior.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical
Education and Research, 10 Aug. 2023,
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