13 Low Effort Self-Care Tips for College Students

College is a time for many firsts, like living on your own and paying bills. That, along with your coursework, can leave you feeling pretty stressed! While it may seem like you don’t have a minute more to spare, taking time to care for yourself is vital for your health. A few minutes of self-care goes a long way. It can help prevent burnout and give you the strength you need to power through the day.

Taking care of yourself doesn’t need to take a lot of time or effort. Here are 13 low effort self-care strategies for college students.

What Is Self-Care?

Self-care, as the name says, is what you do to take care of yourself. How you choose to take care of yourself is unique to every person. One person may find that a face mask and steamy bath helps them rewind. Another person might relieve stress by going on a 5-mile run.

Self-care is important for everyone, whether you are the CEO of a big company or a college student. Self-care can boost your mood, keep your anxiety at bay, and improve your relationships with others. These can all help you be a better student and happier individual all around.

13 Low Effort Self-Care Strategies for College Students

Without further ado, here are 13 low-effort self-care strategies that you can start using right away.

1. Get Active! 

You don’t need to run like Usain Bolt to get the benefits of physical activity. Getting active has plenty of benefits, and we’re not only talking about your physique. It’s very important for your mental health as well.

So how can you get active with little-to-no effort? Go for a walk outside! Even just a fifteen minute walk around the block can be a nice change. You can listen to your favorite album, a podcast, or an audiobook, or use the time to catch up with a friend on the phone. You could also leave your phone at home and let the sound of nature be your music. Taking time away from your work may feel wasteful, but it can improve your studying later on.

If rainy or cold weather prevents you from going out, you can get active right from home. You can find thousands of workouts on YouTube from yoga to pilates and dance workouts. If you’re looking to break a sweat and release endorphins, try a HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) workout.

If you need motivation from others to get active, join a gym on campus. Many colleges offer a free or low-cost membership for students. 

It might take some time to figure out what kind of exercise you like doing. But the benefits of exercise are worth it. 

2. Journal 

Journaling is a great method for self care. It helps you get your feelings out on paper instead of keeping them bottled up. You don’t need to be a writer, or even enjoy writing, to keep a journal. You can do this self-care strategy in as little as five minutes a day alongside your morning coffee. If you aren’t sure where to begin, there are endless resources online to guide you. You don’t only need to journal negative emotions! You can write about special experiences, funny stories, and friends you’ve met in college. You’ll love having your journal to look back on for years to come.

3. Eat healthy! 

Everybody knows that eating healthy can help you maintain your waistline and keep off the freshman 15. But did you know that healthy food fuels your brain? The daily ice cream bar in the cafeteria is tempting, but make sure that you are eating a balanced diet of healthy proteins, fats, fruits and vegetables. Eating healthy meals boosts your immune system, especially if you’re lacking in other departments, like sleep.

Talk with your doctor to see what vitamins you can incorporate into your day. Make sure to drink enough water and start your day with a hearty breakfast. Pack nutritious snacks for days you plan on being at the library for hours. Those chips in the vending machine won’t call your name later on!

4. Meet a friend 

During very busy study weeks, you might not be keeping up with your social life. While it’s not the time for a late night frat party, a short meet up with a friend can do wonders for your mental health. Studying nonstop can leave you feeling mentally drained. Sometimes all you need is some laughter with a friend to replenish your energy.

5. Get enough sleep 

This one may seem obvious, but so many college students are not getting a good amount of sleep. Getting enough sleep is essential to your physical health and mental well-being. Not getting at least 6-8 hours of sleep a night can wreak havoc on your body. It can also lower your motivation to study and impact your focus. If noise is a problem, which it often is on a college campus, get yourself some ear plugs or a white noise machine. If you find yourself going to sleep too late and falling asleep in class, set a bedtime for yourself. Also try to avoid screen time for 30 minutes before you hit the sack, for some extra deep ZZZ’s. 

6. Reach out for help 

You don’t have to be alone with your mental distress! If you are experiencing negative mental health symptoms, reach out for help ASAP. Most colleges offer mental health resources. These may include free counseling, a 24 hour hotline or even an online chat. You may also choose to seek online therapy, such as from BetterHelp.

7. Keep in touch with friends and family 

As the saying goes, “make new friends, but keep the old.” It can be hard to move away from your family and friends that have been by your side your entire life. Sometimes, all you need is to talk to somebody who knows you best, like mom, dad, or a childhood friend. You may not have the time for hour-long chats or video calls, but you should be able to squeeze in a phone chat during your morning commute to class. A phone call with a loved one can have such a positive impact on your mood.

8. Meditate 

If you think you aren’t cut out for meditating, think again. Anybody is capable of meditating. And guess what? You can reap the benefits of meditation even if you only have time for a few minutes a day. Meditating has many benefits like lowering anxiety and reducing stress and blood pressure. Not to mention, it can help you become more self-aware and mindful. Meditating requires nothing more than a quiet space and your breath. There are tons of apps to guide you, like Headspace or YouTube.

9. Make your bed 

Making your bed in the morning can have a huge impact on the rest of your day. It is a great way to start your day off on the right foot, especially when life begins to feel hectic. You’ll already feel accomplished first thing in the morning and more motivated. Developing healthy habits in one area of your life encourages healthy habits in other areas.

10. Take a break from social media

Watching dance videos on Tik Tok can be entertaining. But, mindlessly scrolling through social media for hours can be bad for your mental well-being. It can also rob you of valuable time that you can put towards more productive activities. Don’t hesitate to unplug every once in a while. Put your phone on silent or even in another room to avoid distraction.

11. Set realistic goals 

Setting short-term and long-term goals can help you be more successful. It’s important to be realistic when you set goals. Setting unrealistic goals that you aren’t likely to achieve can weaken your drive. When you set goals that you are likely to achieve, you boost your self-esteem and motivation. To start, write down your goals and the steps you need to take to go after them. And of course, when you accomplish a goal, reward yourself!

12. Create a schedule

In college, your multitasking skills are tested. There are plenty of weeks where you have many finals to study for and papers to submit. Creating a schedule for yourself can help you figure out how to best divide and conquer. You may choose to go old school with a pen and paper. Or you can use an online tool like Google Calendar. Decide when you want to start and end your day and make sure to include time for breaks and other forms of self-care. Respect yourself by sticking to boundaries.

13. Take breaks! 

Working for hours upon end can make even the toughest warrior crash. It’s important to know when enough is enough. Taking a break doesn’t make you weak, and it won’t cause you to fall behind. It may seem silly to take time away from your studying when you have so much to do. But, it can help you be more productive and work harder. 

Final thoughts

College is a very exciting time, but it can also be an overwhelming one. It’s so important that you make time to look after yourself. Even 10 minutes a day is enough for some self-care, like going for a walk or meditating. Self care is vital for your mental health and your success in college.