Self-Care Toolkit
Self-care is an important practice, not just for academic or career-related reasons but also for overall health and quality of life. In turbulent times and high stress environments, it’s more important than ever to build a self-care practice that focuses on taking time to do things that improve your mental and physical health.
To help you focus on self-care, we’ve put together a toolkit for you to fill out and keep with you – for stressful job searching, finals week, future planning, and any reason at all.
This toolkit breaks self-care down into eight different areas:
What sort of activities can you do that affect your physical wellbeing? This can include things like:
- Exercise
- Sleeping/napping
- Drinking water
- Eating a healthy meal
- Eating your favorite comfort food
- Taking a hot shower or bath
- Dancing
What sort of activities can help you mentally? This can include:
- Meditation
- Therapy
- Doing social media detox
- Trying something new
- Practicing self-compassion
- Talking with a trusted friend or family member
What sort of activities are fun for you or help you relax? This can include:
- Crafting
- Watching movies, TV, videos
- Reading
- Playing video games or board games
- Cooking
- Drawing or coloring
- Playing sports
What can you do to make the space around you calmer or more supporting? This can include:
- Cleaning and organizing
- Listening to lo-fi, instrumental, or other soothing music
- Using candles, incense, or essential oils
- Take a walk in a park or other natural environment
What practices can help you feel connected to yourself, your community, and deeper emotional meaning? This can include:
- Meditation
- Relaxation exercises
- Journaling or gratitude journaling
- Community outreach and engagement
- Prayer
- Attending religious services
What can you do to process and feel your emotions, be supported emotionally, and rest and recharge? This can include:
- Setting boundaries
- Expressing emotions (crying, channeling anger through movement)
- Resting
- Spending quality time with loved ones
- Using tools like emotional wheels and reflections to name and feel emotions
What can help[ you organize your time and feel well-supported at work or school? This can include:
- Using planners or other scheduling tools
- Setting boundaries
- Assessing priorities
- Taking mental health days as able
- Focusing on clear communication and radical candor
What can you do socially to support and take care of yourself? This can include:
- Setting boundaries
- Having regular and/or repeating hang-outs with friends
- Joining clubs or local organizations
- Volunteering
- Catching up with folx you haven’t seen in a while
You may find that some things appear in multiple areas – that’s great! If you’re unsure where to start with self-care practice, those can be great things to focus on first.
For more resources and support, visit the CWC (Center for Wellness and Counseling)’s website. They have walk-in hours you can utilize as well as 24 hour support through BetterMynd.
Sources
NIH: Caring for Your Mental Health