Sajila Nudrat | Health Editor
Featured Image: When you take the time to take care of yourself, you enable yourself to be the best you. | Fatema Ali
Are you taking care of yourself? A simple question, yet many will find it difficult to answer. Because people are so busy running from point A to point B, stopping and taking the time to look after themselves often seems like a luxury that cannot be afforded.
The importance of self-care is ever-growing. It’s when an individual takes care of their mental, emotional and physical well-being. By practicing self-care, and indulging in healthy practices, a person better equips themselves with the ability to face the challenges life may throw their way.
When asked what self-care looks like, Auroosa Kazmi-Ishaq, the student success coordinator from the Faculty of Health, and her colleague Agata Stypka, said self-care looks different for each person. Essentially it’s “broadening life skills such as goal-setting, prioritizing, and time management to ensure that responsibilities stay manageable and don’t become overwhelming. Having a daily routine introduces order to life, which clears up our head and gives us more control over our day. Having hobbies—things that we enjoy doing like journaling, reading, meditating, playing video games, or music.”
There are various ways to partake in self-care. In fact, there is no set-in-stone activity or pastime a person needs to constitute self-care. Whatever makes a person feel better or boosts their self-esteem counts. The objective of self-care is bettering an individual’s well-being. The best way to do that is by catering to what makes that individual happy.
Kazmi-Ishaq and Stypka say: “Nutrition and physical activity are two important components. For students, there are many ways they can take care of themselves physically. Physical wellness includes regular exercise, a good night’s sleep and proper nutrition. Specifically, students can, join Tait Mckenzie’s gym and/or attend fitness classes. Access to the gym, pool, squash and tennis courts (excluding Tennis Canada courts) during scheduled recreation times is free for students and students can purchase a $15 membership to attend unlimited group drop-in fitness classes from September – August.”
Keeping hydrated and taking a break from work or school every once in a while is also important. A healthy amount of days off to focus on personal improvement is never a bad call.
When it comes to caring for mental health, specifically during exam seasons, Kazmi-Ishaq and Stypka say it’s important for students to “schedule their exam study time in advance while taking into consideration their other commitments and familiarity with course content.”
They add: “Incorporate mindfulness during commute times such as playing calming music, taking deep breaths, doing meditation, and make time to relax and de-stress. Students should remember that their brain is constantly evolving and adapting, so even if they don’t succeed the first time, try, try, try again.”
Another way to exercise the mind is by relaxing it. activities, such as cloud-watching, painting and drawing all allow the mind to wander away from thoughts of work, assignments, and all the little tensions in between.
Calumet and Stong colleges have combined forces to create a Wellness Lounge located in room 129 of Calumet College. The initiative was launched on October 18 and the space is open on Wednesday and Thursdays from 10:30 a.m to 4:00 p.m to all students. It’s staffed by York nursing students, and offers members of the community the opportunity to drop by and play games, exercise, and relax, in addition to having their questions regarding health and wellness answered.
Sometimes it’s important to unplug; from phones, the internet and the outside world. Go outside for a walk and smell the flowers. Take a long walk on the beach, or through a forest whose leaves are changing colours. It’s not important what a person does to improve their well-being, but it’s very important that they do it.
