By: Carissa Andorf, governor of the Nebraska-Iowa District and Emily Dudash, Key Club International trustee
Having dealt with our share of stress, we can attest to some of the obstacles that high school students face with a challenging schedule, extracurriculars, and other activities. In these stressful moments, it’s important to take a step back and practice self-care. Check out a few tips!
Take breaks
When you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed, this could mean taking a five-minute break while studying or taking a couple days off from work. Whatever form they take, breaks refresh your body and mind — and help make you more productive in the long run.
Sleep
Whether we’re pulling an all-nighter studying for chemistry class or staying up until 2 a.m. writing a history paper, we often disregard how essential sleep is. But it isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessary part of self-care, especially for high school students.
How can you make sleep a priority in your self-care routine? Signal to your body that it’s time to wind down. Establish a consistent sleep schedule, aiming for around eight hours each night. Your social media feed is always tempting, but a vital part of self-care is limiting exposure to screens before bed to create a comfortable sleep environment and a relaxing routine.
Take a break from screens
Limiting screen time isn’t just important at bedtime. Consider how much time you spend alone on your cell phone or computer. Gauge how many minutes or hours you need to start taking off before you reach your goal. Ideas include leaving your phone in another room while doing academic work or setting up timers that signal when you’ve been on your electronic device for too long.
Get some fresh air
This can be as simple as going for a walk or doing your homework outside. When you feel overwhelmed and stressed, fresh air boosts your mood, clears your mind and increases your energy levels — all of which creates a rejuvenated atmosphere that increases your productivity levels.