Self Care As You Finish Strong: How to Make It Through The End of the School Year

The 2016-2017 school year is almost over, and we know that kids and parents alike are working hard to finish strong.  Final projects, tests and exams, and class trips and parties are sure to fill your calendar over the coming weeks, and while it’s hard enough with your children, if you are an adult student pursuing higher education, this time can be especially hard.  Being in school as an adult not only means you are managing a class load, but perhaps a full-time or part-time job, a family, and a household as well.  If you put this together, it can create a cocktail of stress and anxiety which can lead to issues with not only your mental health, but your physical as well.

We want to see you succeed and finish out the year with plenty of energy and a clean bill of health, and self care is an important part of that! Here are some tips for staying at your best in the midst of tests and other end-of-the-school-year busyness.

  1. Drink plenty of water!  Staying hydrated is key, all day every day.  If permitted, keep a bottled water with you throughout carpool, classes, and exams, and make it a personal goal to drink a minimum of the recommended 64 ounces each day. Your body will thank you!  Encourage your kids to do the same.
  2. Brain food isn’t the only food you need.  Skipping meals to study or living off of granola bars while you truck your kids from soccer practice to violin lessons won’t get you very far.  Opt for healthy, filling breakfast choices to give you a great start to the day, and attempt to eat small meals or healthy snacks every 2-3 hours to keep your blood sugar up and your energy high.
  3. Rest, rest, rest.  We can’t stress the necessity of getting plenty of sleep enough.  While studying is important, staying up all night in the books will adversely affect you throughout your entire day, and could cause more harm in the long run.  Aim for a (relatively) early bedtime and aim for no less than 7 hours of sleep if possible.
  4. Relax.  Whether you enjoy going for a run, reading a good book (for pleasure), or simply spending time with your significant other or some friends, take time for yourself and relax during this crazy part of the year.  If you focus on other things outside of your schoolwork, housework, and children, in moderation of course, you will be giving your brain a much-needed break and that can help a lot with exams and other tasks of all kinds.

We hope these tips offer some help as you head into the end of the year!  Already starting the job hunt for post-graduation employment?  PHR Staffing Solutions is here to help you.  We provide quality applicants for local businesses throughout the greater Polk County area of Central Florida, and we can help you find the perfect fit.  Apply for one of our current openings online, or call us for more information!