Published on February 9, 2016 | by Esther Henriquez Photography by Esther Henriquez
0Self-care week: Why loving yourself, can help you love someone else
The arrival of the winter semester brings to the University of Guelph-Humber self-care week, an event hosted to help students take care of themselves first so they are able to take care of others through a series of relaxing events where they can sit down, unwind and even have a treat.
The event hosted by the FCSS and kinesiology societies set off with a total of three different days with different themes – ‘Mindfulness’ Monday, ‘Treat Yo’ Self Tuesday’ and ‘Get up and Move’ Wednesday.
In a city where 89 per cent of students say they are overwhelmed with all they have to do, according to a study conducted by the Canadian Association of College and University Student Services, self-care week to teach students to put their well being first could not have come at a better time.
Event host Emma Pratt, head of the FCSS society knows first hand that any job she or her peers may receive in social services can be taxing on the mind.
“Self-care is something that we’re told a lot about, because they’re very emotionally and mental taxing jobs,” Pratt said “but it’s not something you’re really told about how to put into practice.”
In an effort to showcase what students can do to take care of themselves, Mindfulness Monday provided meditation and breathing exercises followed by de-stressing colouring activities on the second day of the event.
“We wanted to do a few events to just sort of show the students in our program, different ways that they could kind off take time for themselves, relax a bit,” said Pratt.
However, according to the state of public health report in Canada, in 2008 alone, young adults representing 26 per cent of the working force in Canada were employed.
With more than a quarter of young adults having full or part-time jobs, juggling school into the mix can make it difficult for students to even make the time for self-care and further more not every student is guaranteed to agree that certain methods of self-care are actually relaxing for them.
Guelph-Humber FCSS student Deanna Tayloo said she doesn’t understand how colouring contributes to her self-care.
“I don’t feel like sitting down and colouring would help me take care of myself,” said Tayloo “it would be a fun activity to do, but self care is beyond having fun you know? I’d rather sit down and write notes and do something that would help my time not waste it.”
The Kin society reminded students of others ways to apply self-care in your daily routine and that is through ‘always moving’. Kin representatives Parvish Gill and Victoria Lagahit say something as small as a different choice for the day could make a difference.
“Move whenever you can, just move,” Gill said, “you don’t necessarily have to go to a yoga class, just thinking about maybe taking the stairs, instead of the elevator or what you’re eating connects to a healthy lifestyle.”
“You can start from little baby steps and work your way up,” said Lagahit.
Students were reminded that there are different ways to give yourself the ‘self-care’ needed but among all things putting your well being before getting out there and helping someone else would ultimately help you, help them better than before.
“It’s like putting yourself first and making sure that you’re in the right state of mind and that everything’s okay with you, before you worry and stress about other things” shared Kin society rep Danielle Torrie.
About the Author
Esther Henriquez I believe in capturing life through my own eyes to share it in writing with others.
Related Posts
Sleep in students: How much is enough? →
Getting your nails done can be fun and relaxing, but is it safe? →
Co-curricular record to help students get involved →
