As the semester starts fully kicking into gear and your workload gets heavier, we understand how easy it can be to become overwhelmed. However, it is incredibly important to prioritize your own health and happiness! Health and well-being has a direct correlation to your academic success. Therefore we have provided six self-care tips you should consider adopting this semester to help reduce stress.

Attend a Health Initiatives Program or Event.

Health Initiatives offers a number of resources to help you care for your personal well-being, through individual consultations or group format. You can join the Adulting workshop to increase your life skills and elevate your self-confidence, or register for Wellness Coaching to learn how to better manage your stress, or drop in for Mindful Mondays that takes place on Mondays from 4-5pm in the Student Center (Juniper Room). They also have the Student Mindfulness Book Club that you can register to practice the art of being present. If you feel better honing these skills by yourself through an app,  Alexa Health is a great online resource that you should check out as well.

Identify the cause of stress and set aside time for relaxing.

This habit can be a significant step in lowering your general stress levels. To end stress altogether can feel impossible at times, therefore limiting its prevalence in your mind is the next best thing. Establish a time to reflect on your stressors. Try to identify the cause of the stress and if there is anything you can do to reduce the negative impact it will have on your day. If you catch yourself worrying throughout the rest of the day, remind yourself to let it go and focus your energy on relaxing instead!

Find a community.

College can sometimes be isolating, which can often make it feel like you’re fighting your battles alone. If you are interested in joining a student organization to find community on campus, Georgia Tech has over 500 organizations. Maybe you want to find a new hobby or expand on your talents, and learn new skills. No matter what your preference, it is important to find a group of people you can trust to lean on when needed. It can be highly therapeutic, and a reminder of the importance of a support system.

Have fun on campus!

Need a study break but don’t know what to do with yourself? There are always cool events on campus for you to participate in, from sporting and activity nights to movie screenings and concerts that take place around campus. So join in on the fun and find events that make you happy and treat yourself to a night out close to home!

Seek help from professionals.

If you think you may need help, don’t hesitate on setting up an appointment at the Counseling Center or the Stamps Health Psychiatry Clinic. If those aren’t your preference, try joining one of the many support groups on campus, or visiting one of the resource centers, such as the Women’s or LGBTQIA resource centers. If none of those options appeal to you, try simply reaching out to a wellness coach or your peers for support. Sometimes, the best way to make your stressors feel not-so-formidable is to share them with someone else.

Prioritize your own health and wellness; both physically and mentally.

Focus on taking care of yourself first and foremost this semester. Learn to say “no” and don’t bite off more than you can chew. Try a relaxation activity such as meditation, yoga, try visiting the Campus Recreation Center sauna, or getting a massage. Get out and moving; spend some time off campus or just outside of your typical study areas. Sometimes all you need is a change of scenery and some fresh air to do the trick! Work on adjusting your mindset and practicing small acts of self-care every day. You are at university to achieve academic success, but don’t forget to prioritize your own health and well-being. Allow this moment of self-reflection to be one of inspiration and motivation in all areas of your life.

Remember that you are right where you need to be. You have already succeeded by getting into this prestigious institution, yes it will come with challenges but do not allow the obstacles to deter you from your end goal. Try your best and learn not to stress about what lies ahead but instead enjoy the process, it will all work out in the end! Share your self-care practices with us by using the #selfcareselfieGT and tagging @gthealthinitiatives or submit your photo here. If selected you will be featured on the HI Instagram page and you will receive a prize. For more resources and tips on how you can best care for yourself this semester, visit healthinitiatives.gatech.edu.