Balancing Self-Care and Life at Penn

Written by Emma Conrad (W’24); Edited by Kendall Allen (W’25)

As Penn students, it often feels as though we are expected to balance a seemingly impossible amount of responsibilities. Between classes, clubs, and social activities, it can feel like there isn’t enough time in the day to accomplish everything on your “to-do” list. During especially busy times like midterms and finals, it often feels easier to put your head down and push through it: sleep and healthy habits become secondary priorities to both work and success. 

With so many commitments and opportunities at Penn, it can be difficult to find time to check in with yourself or practice mindfulness. This article, however, will discuss the importance of maintaining a healthy balance at Penn and my tips for incorporating self-care into your routine. 

Although it’s a challenge to fit self-care into our busy schedules, it’s especially important at an institution like Penn– especially given the fact that we have been cited as the most depressed student body in the United States. Students at Penn struggle significantly more with depression than the average college student, whether that be due to the culture, workload, lack of resources, or any other combination of factors. Although institutional reform is clearly necessary, individual changes, like prioritizing healthy habits and self-care, can also help to protect against these effects. 

Furthermore, when we neglect to take care of ourselves, we are not able to put our best foot forward in any of our responsibilities, including academics and extracurriculars. Practicing self-care is therefore not only important for encouraging the well-being of yourself and your mental health, but it is also necessary for success in all aspects of life. 

I know what you might be thinking: I do not have time to fit anything else into my schedule. I also understand that the term “self-care” can be vague and difficult to implement in your day-to-day life. With that being said, here are my tips for incorporating healthy habits into your busy life so that they can have a positive impact on your well-being:

  1. Make a list of the healthy habits that are most important to you. The first step of incorporating self-care into your routine is determining what self-care means to you. For me, it is very important that I go to the gym regularly, eat healthy food, and get enough sleep. However, for someone else, it may be important to schedule time to see their friends and spend a day outside. Once you determine what healthy habits you value the most, you can begin implementing them into your routine. 

  2. Prioritize your healthy habits and determine which ones are non-negotiable. Given how busy life at Penn can be, you likely will not have time to practice every healthy habit that you want to. That is why it is important to determine which habits are non-negotiable, or which habits you will practice no matter how busy you are. Personally, I go to the gym five times a week whether I have time or not, because it is essential for my mental health and managing stress. Prioritizing self-care can be challenging, but it is important to view it as a fundamental component of your personal ability to achieve success. 

  3. Learn how to say no to the things you don’t want to do or don’t have time for. There are so many opportunities at Penn that you can fill your schedule and constantly have something to do. Self-care takes time, however, so it is important to only fill your schedule with the things you truly want to do and the non-negotiable responsibilities. This is something that I’m still working on, but it could include only joining clubs you are truly passionate about or saying no to social events that you might not truly enjoy.

Life at Penn can be overwhelming, but these tips might make implementing self-care into your life a bit less daunting. Although it’s challenging to put yourself and your mental health first, it is essential to practice healthy habits and to take care of yourself in this high-stress environment. The first step in creating a positive culture is having open and honest conversations about mental health, so please, lean on your friends and check in with them too. You are not alone in this.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with their mental health and needs additional support, please consult the sources listed below. 

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