TESS CARCALDI

If you knew me two years ago, you’d know that I didn’t know what the phrase “self-care” meant. Two years ago, I was sleeping an average of 4 hours per night; my meals were on-the-go and definitely not nutritious; my body was flooded with coffee and never water; I said “yes” to everything, even if I was already busy and overwhelmed; and I was completely and utterly stressed out 24/7.

In short, I was a mess.

But, during my junior year, I studied abroad in the magical Florence, Italy, and everything changed for me. It’s like a completely different universe over there. In the States, the motto is “go, go, go.” If you’re not constantly looking ahead to the future and thinking about everything that you could be doing in the present to get you there, then you’re doing it wrong. And that’s the way I’ve always lived: I’ve lived for the future and what I can constantly be doing to get myself there, never slowing down to enjoy the small moments in the present or to take care of myself.

But in Italy, the motto is completely different; they’re more like “stop and smell the flowers all day” kind of folks. The Italian people know how to live in the present and enjoy what’s currently going on, rather than worrying about what will happen next. They know how to relax and remain relaxed throughout the day. And when this American student who was beyond stressed out traveled overseas, she learned the magic of staying present and taking care of herself.

Since going abroad, I have brought back living in the present with me. I now try to live in the moment rather than worrying about what might possibly happen. I try to listen to my body when it’s telling me to slow down. And this, in my opinion, is self-care. It’s knowing when to slow down and take a moment to breathe and be present. It’s doing things that make you happy and doing what you need to do for yourself, not what others think you should be doing.

Ever since learning to practice self-care, my anxiety has eased, my health has been better than ever, and I have been happy. If you’re wondering how to get started in practicing your own self-care, here are a few ways that I like to do it myself:

1. Make sure you sleep at least 7 to 8 hours each night. This gives your body time to heal itself from a long day and will allow you to wake up and feel ready to take on the next day.
2. Drink lots of water. I know everyone says this, but it really makes a difference, especially for me. If I don’t drink enough water, I get massive headaches, so making sure I’m hydrated is important for me and for everyone! Drinking water also helps to heal that dry, wintery skin that’s currently plaguing the public, as well as reduce acne. My tip is to buy a pretty reusable water bottle so you’re more inspired to drink out of it.
3. Fuel your body right. This means breakfast, lunch, and dinner, plus snacks when you’re hungry. I am a firm believer that a hearty breakfast sets the tone for the rest of the day, so I make sure to eat either eggs or a thick bowl of overnight oats in the morning. I’ve also been making sure that I’m eating meals packed with fruits and veggies to leave me feeling healthy, happy, and full.
4. Get your body moving a few hours per week. I have never been a fan of the gym, but I love to dance, so for a few hours each week, I take dance classes to get my body moving and to get my endorphins level high. Not only will this make you heart-healthy, but it will make you feel energized and happy. If you hate the gym like me, try dance, Zumba, or yoga (one of my new favorites).
5. If you’re feeling run down or sick, rest. I have found it particularly hard in college to rest when you’re feeling ill. Class and homework doesn’t stop because you are sick, and there’s the constant pressure to go out that makes it difficult to stay home and rest. But, your body will thank you if you take the time you need to slow down and rest when you’re sick. If you keep going, your health will only get worse.
6. Say “no” to things you don’t want to do or don’t have time for. If you know in your heart that you don’t want to do something, then say no. People will try to convince you otherwise, but hold your ground. It’s better to say no and be happy than to say yes and be miserable.
7. Say “yes” to things you do want to do–even if you may be cutting time a little close. If you have a lot of assignments due, but you’ve been working all day and a friend wants to grab dinner, then say yes if you want to go to dinner. It’ll give you a break and allow you to feel some happiness in letting yourself live.
8. Do something you love every day. Make a big cup of tea before bed. Have a nice cup of coffee in the morning. Listen to your favorite song on your way to class. Put on a face mask before bed. Read a book. Watch an episode on Netflix. Write in a gratitude journal. Do something each day that both puts you in a good mood and allows you to relax. I like to do one thing in the morning to start my day off, and one thing at night to end the day on a positive, relaxed note.
9. Wake up early enough so you’re not rushing around in the morning. I used to wake up with just enough time to scramble out of bed, throw on some clothes, and run out the door with a granola bar in my hand. Now, I like to get up early enough to leisurely make my way out of bed, cook myself a good breakfast, sit down and enjoy it, and finish getting ready with plenty of time. If I start my day rushed and in a panic, my day will continue to feel rushed. Even if you start by giving yourself an extra 15 minutes, it will make all the difference.
10. Realize you are human and forgive yourself. I shouldn’t have to tell you, but nobody’s perfect. We all make mistakes. Some days, we are more productive than others. Some days, we make decisions that make ourselves happy but disappoint others. My best advice is to forgive yourself. At the end of the day, these are small issues that don’t matter in the grand scheme of life. Forgive yourself and move on with a positive mindset for the next day because tomorrow is always a new day. As long as you are content with the fact that we are humans and we are flawed, you will be able to go about your day without any regrets.

These are just some of my favorite self-care tips that I’ve been practicing for some time now. I’ve seen a huge change in my health, my habits, and my daily routine–all for the better. I stress less about my responsibilities because I know in the end I will get more done if I am relaxed and happy. I encourage you all, especially you on-the-go-people, to start practicing self-care if you haven’t already. And if you have any other self-care tips, I would love to hear them!