Self-Care Practices

While it can be hard to prioritize when you have other things on your to-do list, making time for self-care practices will benefit you in the long run. When we are feeling good, both physically and mentally, we are better able to handle life's stressors. And, engaging in regular self-care practices is one of the key ways to build your resilience.

Resilience is the process of "bouncing back" from stress and adversity and it can also involve reflection and personal growth.

Examples of self-care practices

• Start each day with intentionality – Ask yourself these three questions:
  • What will help me to feel healthy today?
  • What will help me to feel connected today?
  • What will give me a sense of purpose today?
• Get good sleep – Try to get enough sleep with these resources. For example, aim to get 7 - 8 hours of sleep a night. Make sure your room is cool, dark, and quiet and create a 30 - 60 minute screen-free wind down routine that minimizes blue light exposure. For more tips to improve your sleep habits, consider signing up for Refresh: Cornell's Sleep Program 
• Connect with others – Find ways to stay socially connected while practicing physical distancing.
• Experience nature – Enjoy Cornell's natural beauty. Research shows that spending time in nature (e.g., going for a walk outside, listening to the birds, watching a sunset) supports good mental health.
• Learn to meditate – Attend a Let's Meditate session, or try another meditation resource available on the Cornell Health website
• Limit social media & news consumption – Too much can have a negative impact on your mental health. Social media can help us keep in touch with people near and far, but it can also cause frustration, procrastination, and it's easy to lose track of time while using social media. Consider limiting your time spent on social media.

Additional resources

• Learn more about building resilience with these resources.
• Consider these 10 ways to support your mental health.
• View this "A-Z" comprehensive list of mental health resources developed by the CAPS therapists at Cornell Health.