By: Maria Lombana

At the start of every semester, I vow to stay healthy by keeping a perfect gym routine, unstoppable productivity at all times, and eating wholesomely with no room for sweet treats.

But as the semester goes on; classes get busier, assignments harder, and every club I’m involved in somehow has a meeting scheduled everyday. My “75 Hard” plan starts to fall through, and I end up feeling unmotivated to continue my health journey.

This time, instead of feeling guilty; I’ve started focusing on other ways to take care of myself. Here are a few things that have been keeping me balanced consistently:

Going to therapy for the first time

This was a big step for me. Therapy has helped me manage stress, reflect, and take my mental health seriously. I don’t want to sound like literally every other person who just started therapy, but truly it’s made me realize that health is about emotional wellbeing just as much as it is about routine workouts. My therapist has helped me address aspects of myself that I wasn’t even aware needed addressing, and sometimes venting to someone outside your inner circle can be very refreshing. If you’re thinking about trying therapy, Temple has the resources for free right on campus.

Making more time for my hobbies

I’ve leaned into activities that make me happy; like knitting, writing, and reading. Spending time on these hobbies helps me relax and gives me something to look forward to outside of academics. I always recommend people start a creative project they can work on when they are experiencing burnout. Seeing progress on your project can inspire productivity, and give you that boost you need. I’m currently working on a pink cable-knit sweater inspired by a Jean Paul Gaultier sweater I found on Pinterest.

Allowing myself to rest without guilt

Slacking on my health routine used to stress me out. Now I see rest as part of the process. Sometimes a nap, an early night in, or even just watching a movie is exactly what I need. The problem is overdoing this and then getting little to no work done at all, so I’ve been trying to maintain a balance of consistent workflow and appropriate rest time. All in all, it’s good to have a little more self-compassion when it comes to taking breaks: listen to your body when it tells you you need one, even if your mind is opposed to it.

Looking forward to what I eat

This is my first semester with a kitchen in my dorm, meaning this is my first time I’m responsible for cooking, which not only saves money but also makes me feel better mentally. Knowing I have a delicious meal waiting, even something simple like mac and cheese, is often the thing that gets me through a long day. Meal prepping has turned into a small act of self-care that I actually look forward to.

Getting outside when I can

On days I can’t make it to the gym, I try to go for a walk around campus or sit outside between classes. The wooden lounge chairs in Founder’s Garden make a great spot for this. Fresh air and sunlight make a bigger difference than I expected, although I won’t be able to indulge for a while given the temperature. Instead, I try to work in spaces outside my usual dorm room, ideally with a view of the outside. The fourth floor of Charles Library is my current spot.

Connecting with people who matter

My roommates might find it a little annoying, but every day I try to call someone—my parents, a friend, a relative, anyone I can have a quick conversation with. Sometimes it’s just to pass the time, other times it’s to ask for advice. No matter how short the call, connecting with the people who matter to me always helps me feel a little more grounded and healed.

Redefining what “healthy” means for me

Health doesn’t have to be about perfection or checking every box. Right now, it’s a mix of therapy, hobbies, rest, movement, and taking care of my body and mind in small, everyday ways. Focusing on this will yield better, more long-lasting results than constantly trying to be a version of myself that I am not (a version that goes to the gym daily, never eats junk food, and gets everything done on time). Identifying the ways in which you can be healthy that you can integrate seamlessly into your habits, schedule, personality, etc. is truly the key. This is easier said than done, but we can all be a little healthier even if it’s just one small change at a time.

This semester, I’ve realized that staying healthy is less about chasing the perfectly sustainable routine and more about being flexible, mindful, and forgiving to myself.

Redefining Health: Prioritize You Without the Pressure