UL Lafayette faculty and students share their strategies for developing a self-care routine

Paper after paper, exam after exam, projects, reports, quizzes, meetings, work, it never ends. With each tomorrow, careers are strived for, assignments are turned in, and a long day’s work is done, but what about the sole human being who does it all? 

According to Inside Higher Ed’s 2023 Student Voice Survey, nearly “56 percent of students overall have experienced chronic stress in college,” where “six in 10 students want to eat a healthier diet, get more sleep and get more exercise.”

When swamped with exams, papers, work, family and so much more, it’s often easy to become subjected to tiredness and ultimately throw away the option of exercise, a healthy meal, and quality rest, especially when they seem hard to access.  

True, it can be a challenge to incorporate a “healthier” lifestyle into an already restless one, but planning out a holistic, well-rounded daily routine can save years of mental health crises and critical health complications.

Dr. Chris Hayes is the physician and supervisor of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s Student Health Services (SHS) at Saucier Wellness Center.

Hayes explained, “Self-care is treating yourself the way you would want someone to treat you, being conscious of your own limitations, your own mental health, emotional health, and physical health requirements and making them a priority.”

To ensure well-rounded health, especially with the modern student schedule, Hayes advised to eat three meals a day with a variety of foods (high-protein breakfast, fruits, vegetables) and have a good sleep schedule. 

“Try to prioritize eating healthy meals and sleeping as best you can with the schedule that you’re given. Try to get a planner; put everything in your planner,” Hayes said.

“If you have all that planned out, then it’s easier to fit things in like a puzzle. If you plan things ahead, and you try to stay organized in your life, you can do more stuff,” Hayes continued.

When asked about the services offered at SHS and other services on campus, Hayes added, “At Bourgeois, there’s exercise classes and lots of support for physical wellness.”

“Here at Student Health Services, we do student wellness physicals, we also see for minor illnesses. There is a counseling center that provides free counseling, unlimited number of office visits, to students and staff,” Hayes concluded.

Saucier Wellness Center is a great resource available to all students on campus for wellbeing matters. Appointments are suggested and can be scheduled by calling the office.

From a student perspective, a similar message was elaborated.

Aspyn Vickery, a senior majoring in biology, ensures she has a set routine besides her school and work schedules, including working out at the gym, eating a good diet, socializing with family and friends, and getting outdoors to run or hike. 

Vickery advocates exercising, socializing and especially eating better food. “How you feel in your head is what you eat.”

“Exercising makes you more confident and comfortable, and you can meet people. It’s not always going to be easy, nothing’s easy, but there are two different types of hard,” said Vickery.

Alexandra Chistroserdov is a sophomore and biology major. With an intense class schedule and work-study, she emphasized making the time for her hobbies.

“I dedicate three hours each Saturday to draw, usually comics, but sometimes standalone pieces,” Chistroserdov said.

When asked for suggestions, Chistroserdov said, “to dedicate a routine time or day specifically for self-care. This can be on weekends, before going to bed, when waking up in the morning, etc. as long as it’s a routine.”

There seems to be an emphasis on organization. When students plan their day, it essentially sets their priorities: what to focus on and what to put on the back burner.  

Of course, there will be times when random circumstances get in the way–a surprise assignment, an extra shift at work, a flat tire. However, setting a plan with probable substitutions can go a long way.

How people choose to handle the situation, despite the difficulty, changes the outcome. 

Setting priorities eliminates the distractions blocking one from accomplishing one’s hopes. There is always a choice, two sides to every day and situation. 

As J.W. von Goethe best said, “Everything is hard before it is easy.”