High school can be overwhelming. From managing assignments, to late-night cramming, friends, and sports, the list goes on. It can feel like there is so much pressure from teachers, parents, peers, and even ourselves. Said pressure can lead to burnout, lethargy, and in some cases, even depression.
This is where self care comes in. Self care, according to the Oxford dictionary, is “the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health.” When some people think of self care, they think of it being selfish, expensive, and time consuming, but I am here to tell you that self care is vital to the survival of high school.
The first form of self care that I would like to introduce to you is physical self care.
One part of physical self care is being active. Whether that means playing a club or school sport, going for a run, doing yoga, or just walking around, it's important to move your body daily. Being active, on top of reducing your risk of health problems, helps you to release endorphins. Endorphins are hormones that your brain releases in order to relieve pain, reduce stress, and improve your mood. Yup! Working out helps you to recover faster physically and mentally. Softball is my sport of choice, I have been playing it for eight years and it has helped improve my physical and mental health, which by definition is self care.
Nutrition is another important factor in physical self care. While I love eating ice cream and drinking boba, I also recognize that it is important to eat healthy food and drink lots of water. It's beneficial to start your day with a nutritious breakfast with protein, like eggs, yogurt, or a breakfast burrito. For lunch, it's key to have lean proteins and complex carbohydrates, including (but not limited to) chicken and rice, burrito bowls, as well as sushi. As for dinner, it's recommended to have meals with fiber and low saturated fat, such as chickpea curry, chili, and tofu-vegetable stir fry. For adolescents, it's recommended to drink eight cups of water a day, so make sure to fill up your Owalas, Hydroflasks, and/or Stanleys. But don't forget that having the occasional boba and ice cream are okay too, because eating and drinking are not only for nourishing your body, but also for nourishing your soul — an essential part of self care.
The last example of physical self care for today is sleep. I know the feeling of cramming for tests and spending countless hours mindlessly scrolling through social media late at night, but did you know that it's scientifically proven that getting enough sleep is more beneficial for tests than cramming all night? Try aiming for eight hours of sleep a night, but if that feels like too much, go to sleep thirty minutes before you normally do. With that, Jackets, remember to be active, nourish yourself, and get your Zs in order to keep you on your self care journey.