Writer Emily Pearce takes the streets of Moscow to find different ways to indulge in self-care.
It has been a hard semester, and the past few weeks have been some of the most stress inducing. I know I’m not the only student who feels this way.
Presentations and projects are almost due, and essays are nearing the 24-hour deadline as time tics away. It’s Sundays like these I value most, because nothing matters more than my mental health – just the way I like it.
In Moscow there are many ways to indulge in self-care, and plenty of hidden activities to bring mindfulness into one’s day. This week I choose to visit the Student Recreation Center to run out all of my stress.
Thankfully, the University of Idaho has a great gym with a lot of activities of varying intensity to choose from. I can go for a hard workout or just spend time de-stressing with a machine’s help.
My favorite thing about a minimally intense activity is that I can zone out and just focus on the present moment. This helps me get out of my head. Because of what my courses’ final projects entail, this is a great break from the laundry list of homework I have to do.
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To anyone who needs ideas on how to spend their self-care Sunday, this is a great start. Going to the gym is always intimidating, whether it is the first time this semester or if it is a part of a daily regimen. Luckily there is something at the gym for everyone.
Going alone lets me set my own pace, but having a partner can encourage a great workout. If all else fails, there is always the sauna in the back of the changing rooms that is great for relaxing.
UI’s gym is free to all students and can be accessed with a vandal card. This semester UI changed the free parking to paid parking on the left side of the gym, but it is free after 5 p.m. and on weekends.
If going to the gym is not in your comfort zone, don’t worry about it. Do what makes you happy when taking a self-care day.
Self-care may look different to everyone. Whether it be going to the gym, going on a self-date, or kicking back with a cup of tea – we all do what we are comfortable with.
That is the great thing about self-care Sundays and self-care in general. We do what we want to better ourselves and our minds. It is important to make sure we are taking care of ourselves especially when things get busy.
A self-care Sunday can look a lot like someone else’s self-care Monday or a different person’s cool down ritual after a long day at work. Whatever the self-care activity is, a healthy mind looks different for different people. Self-care is important, and helps us grow into the people we want to be.
Emily Pearce can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @Emily_A_Pearce.