We’re on the cusp of beginning a new month and I can see people’s New Year’s resolutions disintegrating on the winds across campus. However, there is one promise that you should keep: employing emotional first aid where you need it.
First, I want you to ask yourself: when was the last time you put your own self-care first? It took me an uncomfortably long time to find my own answer. When classes pick up, it’s hard to draw a line between people’s expectations and what we can give them.
When the emotional tank is running on empty, we go through the motions of life on autopilot. We think that we’re too busy to take some time away for ourselves but the truth is that you’re never too busy for a short check-out from life.
Taking time off can actually help you progress with projects faster than before because self-care prevents you from burning out.
In America, we glorify overworking ourselves and brag about how much sleep we don’t get. Unfortunately, throwing away self-care for the sake of productivity can hurt you.
According to the American Psychological Association, chronic stress can cause health problems, including fatigue, headaches, irritability and issues with concentration.
We’ve all been there: you push to the breaking point until you can’t take anymore and then you give up trying. Self-care encourages accountability—you are acknowledging your feelings as they happen.
I’m calling myself out for being a hypocrite about my own approach to self-care; I run myself into the ground trying to constantly make other people happy.
Self-care isn’t a fad and it isn’t frivolous or just for a certain gender. It is important to maintain a healthy relationship with yourself. In my senior year at Ferris, I wish I focused on it sooner.
Think of self-care acting like a Band-Aid in standard emotional first aid: by mending a blow to your confidence and worth, you are allowing yourself to heal.
Self-care comes in many forms and one person’s preferred method might not work for someone else. Self-care means establishing boundaries and focusing on reflection. You need to put in the effort on your behalf—patch up your emotions when they need it.
Click here for more from Torch Opinions Editor Marley Tucker.