While the term “self-care” is definitely a buzzword, there’s a lot more than buzz behind it. A movement to remind us all to slow down and pay attention to ourselves for a minute, adopting the right self-care habits can help you live a life that’s physically healthy, mentally healthy, and balanced – the keys to staying productive and making the things you want for yourself happen.
College is a busy time. Well, that’s an understatement. Sometimes it’s busy; other times it’s just psychotic. We’ve all skipped a night or two of sleep cramming for finals. Or pulled a 14-hour day with a full load of classes and a shift at our part-time job. And hey – it’s college; a lot of this stuff is just a reality.
But if you’re not paying attention to your personal maintenance, it’ll get overwhelming really quickly. And your GPA cannot afford a burnout. There are simple principles you can adopt that can help you manage stress, have fun, kill it at classes, and thrive during your time at OU. Building these healthy habits will go a long way in helping you feel your best.
1. Drink more water. Seriously
Being dehydrated can make you drowsy and hurt your ability to concentrate. And we’re talking water. Coffee doesn’t count towards your daily tally. Keeping a water bottle on hand can remind you to drink more water throughout the day.
2. Make sleep a priority
Sleep’s often the first thing we sacrifice when there aren’t enough hours in the day. But not getting enough sleep hurts everything from concentration to memory to your immune system, mood, and more.
3. Exercise regularly
Moderate-to-vigorous exercise at least 3x per week can boost mood, memory, physical health, and immune function, keeping you energized and ready for the stress of midterms and the grossness of cold season.
4. Foster a support network
Whether it’s joining a student org, FaceTiming your sister twice a week, or having brunch with the clique on Saturdays, having people who know you and support you goes a long way toward mental health and comfort.
Another way people build a strong support system is to live with roommates. If you have a group of friends, you can try to find a house for rent in Athens and live together. Staying with your closest friends in college could become your fondest memories of OU, once you graduate.
5. Check in with your mental health often
Feeling like you need help occasionally throughout the year or want a weekly meeting to help you process life? OU’s student psych services are unmatched in terms of service, compassion, and empathy.
6. Take a moment
Have some quiet time each day. Even if it’s just 10 minutes that you sit still and try to empty your mind, stepping away from the day for a bit – physically and mentally – can give you the resources to zone back in and focus on the things you need to get done.
7. Keep a somewhat consistent routine
It helps your body and mind know what to expect each day, regulating your circadian cycle. It also helps you stay more organized with scheduling study sessions, keeping track of due dates, progress on projects, etc.
8. Clean more often
Cleaning shouldn’t only be done once in a blue moon. Don’t wait for mess to pile up until it becomes overwhelming. A cluttered, messy space isn’t only kind of gross, but it feeds back on your mental health.
Tidy life, tidy mind, as they say. Taking care of your apartment is an extension of taking care of yourself.
From clearing out your kitchen drawers to airing out your apartment, this article goes over cleaning tips that will help you keep your space fresh.
9. Make your off-campus housing feel like home
Get some comfy pillows and blankets; hang string lights in the bedroom, hang pictures and other décor with Command Strips, and stick some houseplants around the place to add more life to the space. Personalizing your student apartment will make it more calming because it feels like your space.
Decorating your space doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg. With these tips and tricks, you can make your apartment a better reflection of your taste, all on a budget. As an OU student, you have plenty of options to get furniture and household items for free or at much lower prices. You just need to ask around and take the time to look.
10. Take care of yourself
That means keeping good hygiene and taking that hour-long shower when you’ve had a terrible Monday. It also means not skipping meals and treating yourself every once in a while. And it means listening to what your body and your mind need, and giving yourself the grace and the space to make it happen.
Just as much as classes, work, and social life are priorities, you should be one of your biggest priorities, too! Go ahead – grab yourself an order of O’Betty’s fries and binge the new episodes of YOU. Writing that paper later will hurt less.
Make Your Off-Campus Apartment a Self-Care Sanctuary
A little self-care goes a long way. And it starts with having a space that feels like your own. By choosing a home in Athens that suits your student life, you can build a consistent routine that improves your college experience.
When you’re constantly surrounded by noise, clutter, or a stressful roommate situation, it becomes much harder to sleep well, study consistently, and recharge between classes. A comfortable off-campus apartment near OU can make healthy habits easier by providing a quiet place to rest and establish a sustainable routine throughout the academic year.
As an OU student, it’s ideal to look for university rentals in Athens that are close to campus and uptown Athens. So, you can reduce commuting stress, study comfortably, and also enjoy a social life after classes.
If you’re looking for off-campus housing near OU where you can relax and recharge, check out our 1-bedroom apartments near campus.