What Does Self-Care Mean to You?

Students and Faculty Share Their Personal Methods for Destressing

By Alondra DeLeon Guimaraes | Observer Contributor

The end of the semester is the time more than ever to look for different strategies to succeed and finish strong which includes self-care. According to MWCC counselor Melissa Manzi, self-care is to help you get through the difficult things in life. “Does it help? I think yes!” she cheerfully emphasized. Luckily, some students and faculty were able to provide some insight on this method.

“Self- care is a time of reflection for me,” said Yaneliz Montez, a health sciences major student at MWCC. “In the midst of life, one tends to forget about themselves and feel disconnected. They can eventually lose themselves,” she reasoned further. When Montez is not studying or in class, she works as a bartender and is a single mom.

For self-care, she enjoys treating herself by going out shopping, getting her skin care done, relaxing, and even making sure her home is organized. “If my room is not clean, I know that I will not study well,” Montez stated as she reflected on her habits. No matter what the activity is, Montez tries to fit self-care into her schedule daily. However, some days are more challenging than others. “Sometimes, I forget about it and then wonder why I feel so pressured when everything is okay, especially with school,” she shared. Her suggestion for other students about self-care? “Don’t listen to anyone who gives advice on self-care because it’s something different for everyone. Listen to your body and do what feels right. The rest will follow eventually.”

Jenny Sauver is a student nurse at the Mount. On the topic of self-care, she shared, “Self-care is doing activities you enjoy that will make you happy and take time away from whatever stresses you.” When Sauver is not studying or in class, she works as a nursing assistant at an assisted living facility. Her self-care routine includes listening to music, getting a manicure at a salon, blogging, eating at favorite restaurants, and meditation. “These things help me with my mental health and provide clarity for my mind to help me succeed,” Sauver stated. 

Unlike Montez, Sauver doesn’t find it challenging to do self-care. However, the problem is the timing. “I normally do something for myself once or twice a month. You barely have time when you must work and study.” When asked what she would suggest to others about self-care, Sauver responded: “Prioritize your self-care especially on your day off. This will help get your mind off what is troubling you.” 

“Self-care to me is taking the time to nurture yourself, being kind to yourself, taking breaks, and doing things you enjoy,” explained Lisa Naze, Professor of biology at the Mount. She continued to share, “I always say that you can’t take care of other people unless you take care of yourself.  I know if I practice self-care, I can give more to others.”

During her classes, she shared how she had test anxiety as a student and can relate to her students with their current experiences with testing. “I see students get very stressed out and let them know that getting a break and taking a moment to breathe makes all the difference,” she explained. Tutoring, acronyms, and study groups have helped her in the past.

            Interestingly, the professor also had difficulty completing her ideal self-care routine because of time. However, she noticed that each time, it’s different based on what her needs are at that moment. “Sometimes it’s resting or relaxing, spending time with friends and/or family, or challenging myself to grow,” she stated.

“It’s important not to take others’ issues on as your own and have a chance to decompress” she added as her suggestion and advice regarding self-care, “If you don’t, you can get burnt out. It’s okay to know our limits and take a break.”

When the final weeks of the semester approach, use the time wisely! Study, focus, rest, don’t skip mealtimes, and eat healthy food. Also, take advantage of the college counseling resources and free meditation apps on the college website such as Calm, Be Well at The Mount, Headspace, Smiling Mind, and many others. Above all, prioritize self-care! It’s proven to help bring clarity, rest, and aid in becoming stress-free. There may be challenges along the way; however, any time dedicated to self-care will make a difference.