Self Help Tips
Self Care
During the Covid-19 pandemic, when we are all sitting inside at our desks looking at computer screens for hours every day, it is difficult to maintain healthy habits. There are a variety of self care tips that have helped me with my mental health issues, which I will share below!
- Plan a 10-20 minute break to go outside and take a walk, even if it’s cold out!
- Do your class work one hour at a time and then take a break, your brain cannot pay attention for much longer than that, and you will begin to drift.
- Before starting homework, identify a reward to motivate you, that you can have when you are all done with your homework (Netflix, a glass of wine if you are of age, a snack, etc.)
- Drink (apx.) four to six cups of water every day to stay hydrated and plan in time for your meals, do not snack through the day.
- Relax! Plan time for you to relax, whether that means taking a bath, watching a movie, reading a book, listening to music, journaling, etc. You’ve been working hard and you deserve some down time!
Self Talk
During the pandemic we have had significant amounts of time to sit at home with our thoughts, and sometimes this may lead to negative self talk, cognitive distortions, and other intrusive thoughts. Below I will list several self talk tips I have used myself!
- Use “I” statements (ie; I am feeling anxious because I am unprepared for the exam on Monday). This helps to remember that we are responsible for our emotions and behaviors.
- Positive affirmations (ie; I am doing my best, and I can do better; I am fully capable and I know I can do this, even though I am struggling; I am surrendering to the present, etc”
- Reframe negative self talk in order to help you learn and grow for the future
- Remember that your inner voice is not *you,* you are not hopeless, you are fully capable of changing your thought patterns.
~Jeanne