I’ll be honest. I used to dislike hearing the words, ‘self-care’ when coming to college. There’s a stigma around it and I initially perceived it as an excuse for not challenging yourself. However, once I noticed myself drowning from personal frustrations I decided to make a change.

           For me, self-care means feeding my mind with thoughts of positivity despite my current state. It’s less about taking alone time to refocus and more about nourishing my mind with thoughts that will help me flourish. It’s far too easy to dig a hole and bury yourself in your frustrations, but acknowledging your thoughts and anxieties without letting them takeover will only do good things for your emotional health.

           Here are three self-care habits to implement in your daily life in hopes of becoming a better, more thoughtful you.

1. Keep a Journal: Try writing a daily journal. Write what you’re feeling and explain your current state. By getting your frustrations and anxieties down on paper, it will allow yourself to process your emotions and let your mind rest.

1. Be Kind to Yourself: Like I said, we’re all a little too harsh on ourselves. Take the negative thoughts in your head and try asking yourself why you think that way. Being able to process your thoughts constructively will help to recognize the reasoning behind your emotions.

1. Stop Dwelling: The worst possible thing to do during a stressful time is to dwell on your anxieties. While it’s extremely easy to do so, it does nothing for you in the long run. Acknowledge your feelings, take a deep breath, but don’t let your mind win focusing on your anxieties.

For more tips and tricks on re-centering your mind click here.