A few small, doable ways to look after yourself between bells.
By Alonda Wylie, Assistant Professor and KDP Counselor, West Virginia State University
Stress is real. Some days, it feels like everything demands your full attention, all day, every day, and by evening, there's nothing left.
You might notice a dip in energy, less interest in things you'd normally enjoy, or the feeling that there simply isn't enough time. Weekends can turn into catch-up days filled with laundry, errands, and yard work.
None of that means something is wrong with you. It means you're carrying a lot.
Here are six small, doable ways to ease that load.
1. Create an Intentional Schedule
Choose a window of time each day when you won't check email or answer calls that might require your attention or a response. Protect that time the way you'd protect a meeting.
2. Meditate Through Thoughts or Writing
Take a few minutes to celebrate what's already good in your life. Think or write about the small things you tend to take for granted. A few moments of gratitude can give you a chance to slow down and notice what often gets overlooked.
3. Take Time to Reflect
Grab a journal or a sheet of paper and write for five uninterrupted minutes.
What happened today? Is there a way to approach the situation differently next time? What's one first step you can take to work around the barrier?
You don't have to solve everything at once. Sometimes, getting your thoughts out of your head is enough to see things more clearly.
4. Move Your Body
Take a walk after a meal and put on your favorite music. Or, leave the headphones behind and listen to your surroundings. Notice something outdoors you'd normally walk right past.
If a full workout feels impossible, a walk around the block still counts. It doesn't have to be complicated to make a difference.
5. Prioritize Sleep
Rest isn't a luxury. It's the time your body uses to repair and restore itself.
Prioritizing sleep can help you feel less on edge and better prepared to make decisions the next day. Your body will thank you.
6. Set Boundaries
You can say no gracefully and without guilt.
People may lean on you often, but it's okay to say you already have plans, projects of your own, or somewhere else to be—even if that "somewhere" is your couch, doing nothing.
Doing nothing is a perfectly good, well-earned activity.
Start with whichever one feels easiest today, in any order you like. A start is a start, as long as you start.