Self Care Examples

Examples of Self Care Resources for Students

The following resources were adapted from Blackboard content utilized in Spring 2020 by the Institute for Leadership Studies, developed by one of CTE's Faculty Consultants for Online and Flexible Teaching, Amy Leyerzapf.  Following the university’s decision to move courses online in response to COVID-19, LDST courses created a “Self Care” content area on the navigation pane of all departmental Blackboard sites.  The resources were organized into the content areas noted here and presented as weblinks with the URL’s embedded.

The goal was to balance brief and audience-appropriate research-based articles with critical University and COVID information and a variety of enrichment, engagement, and perhaps even a little evasion opportunities.

Why is self care important, particularly for college students and particularly now? 

https://www.cccstudentmentalhealth.org/students-self-care-wellness-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/

https://www.mcleanhospital.org/news/tips-help-college-students-during-covid-19-pandemic

https://www.terrycralle.com/how-college-students-can-prioritize-mental-health-during-the-covid-19-outbreak/

Resources for a “New Normal”

KU’s Coronavirus Health Care Guidance  https://studenthealth.ku.edu/coronavirus

National Institute for Mental Health  https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/find-help/index.shtml

American Institute of Stress – 50 Signs of Stress  https://www.stress.org/stress-effects

Navigating Isolation (The Guardian)  https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/13/the-    family-lockdown-guide-how-to-emotionally-prepare-for-coronavirus-quarantine?utm_source=pocket-newtab

Role of Humor in Navigating Stress (Psychology Today)  https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/ulterior-motives/201706/humor-sometimes-makes-stressful-situations-better

Social Distancing Wellness Recommendations https://time.com/5804130/covid-19-social-distancing-wellness/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=time-health&utm_content=20200319

Balance Mindfulness and Movement

UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center (MARC) meditations and podcasts

https://www.uclahealth.org/marc/mindful-meditations

Lee Holden QiGong for Stress Relief  https://www.holdenqigong.com/video-natural-stress-relief/

QiGong ("chee" gong) is an ancient movement and breath-based practice intended to move the qi (vital energy) throughout the body.  The flowing movements and breath demonstrated here are designed for stress relief.  Lee is one of the nation's preeminent practitioners of the practice here in the US.

Free streaming online yoga  https://www.doyogawithme.com/

Connect with Nature

San Diego Zoo livecam https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams

Georgia Aquarium webcam  https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/webcam/ocean-voyager/

African Safari webcam  https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/webcam/ocean-voyager/

20 Minutes in Nature (Time Magazine)  https://time.com/5539942/green-space-health-wellness/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=time-health&utm_content=20200318

Explore Arts and Culture

Broadway Plays and Musicals via livestream  http://www.filmedonstage.com/

Art from 14 Paris Museums  https://kottke.org/20/01/paris-museums-put-100000-images-online-for-unrestricted-public-use?fbclid=IwAR0PdrO_pBwtMP-IDCFUn1DFr7ZK8GHg57L9FDzgwD6lGEAWcwzgMa92AUU

Art Institute of Chicago digitized collection  https://www.artic.edu/collection

Learn-A-Language tutorials  https://www.learnalanguage.com/

Language podcasts  https://www.afar.com/magazine/15-best-podcasts-for-language-learning?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=031720+VirtualMuseums&utm_term=Daily+Wander+Newsletter&fbclid=IwAR39DTNxzA83H99eT49DMpjSMtt0r00AEFpBGhbcyJ8u3rg_hOmRWopSn7A

Skillshare.com courses  https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2020/03/social-distancing-skillshare/?fbclid=IwAR1FCdG6dAFBh75qmUFKkXqNd2R2h0gBCJ0g4cqbS5Qy8uaulie31K5-nqg

Unplug!

Screen Fatigue Recommendations https://time.com/4789208/screens-computer-eye-strain/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=time-health&utm_content=20200320

The time is WRITE!  https://info.achs.edu/blog/writing-as-self-care

Research suggests that the rate of feelings of depression and isolation increase proportionally with our screen time. Consider breaking the hold our devices have on us by powering down the TV, computer, tablet, and phone for a while and put an old fashioned pen to old fashioned paper.

  • Write a thank you note to someone who has made an impact on your life.
  • Write a letter to a friend or family member.
  • Write a letter to your past or future self.  What do you want to report back?  What do you want to remember?
  • Journal!  We are living in an extraordinary time.  What a cool record for our children's children.

Mo Willems YouTube lunch doodles  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL14hRqd0PELGbKihHuTqx_pbvCLqGbOkF

3 Ingredient Peanut Butter Cookies  https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/244614/3-ingredient-peanut-butter-cookies/

Microwave Popcorn Hacks  https://www.bustle.com/articles/45368-9-creative-hacks-to-make-your-popcorn-the-best-snack-ever

The Required Quarantine Banana Bread  https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-banana-bread-the-simplest-easiest-recipe-139900