ASSOCIATED LEARNING OUTCOMES

In this section of the resource we will discuss emotional self-care, the positive impacts it can have on your emotional wellness and different strategies for incorporating it into your daily life. Emotional self-care is not usually the first thing that comes to mind when self-care is discussed and can get overlooked for the physical aspects of self-care. University is a stressful time in a young individuals life due to academic pressures, changing roles ( the shift from adolescence into adulthood) and changing emotional states. Due to this, it is important to be mindful of your emotional state and take the steps to engage in emotional self-care when needed to maintain or improve your overall mental wellness. 

WHAT IS EMOTIONAL SELF-CARE?

Emotional self-care are activities and practices which help you manage your emotions, reduce stress, and keep a healthy mental and emotional state. It is not an easy thing facing the emotional challenges of everyday life. Especially for university freshmen, there are a lot of emotional challenges during this first year.

KEY ASPECTS OF EMOTIONAL SELF-CARE

  1. Stress Management:  Stress management is one of the most crucial aspects of emotional self-care. There are some really good stress-reduction techniques that might help you remain composed. They are meditation, deep breathing techniques, and awareness. For instance, practicing deep breathing will help you focus better and feel less stressed. This approach will be especially helpful when there are deadlines or exam times.
  1. Self-compassion:  Self-compassion teaches you to treat yourself with kindness and empathy, especially when you or someone you care about is struggling or failing. It also teaches people that no one is flawless and that mistakes are made by everyone. For example, when faced with a challenging homework assignment or test. Rather than blaming yourself or second-guessing a past choice, you can accept your efforts and remind yourself that it’s a learning process. “I’m doing my best, and the process is more important,” or similar thoughts. Such thoughts will have a significant impact.\
  1. Healthy Boundaries: Building and maintaining healthy boundaries relationships is critical to emotional wellness. It means saying no when you are not able to handle more. Saying no, for instance, is appropriate if you feel overburdened and are requested to undertake more tasks. You’ll make sure you have adequate time for relaxation and self-care with this approach. Either now or in the future, being able to say, “I can’t do this right now,” is a crucial talent. 
  1. Support Systems and Relationships: Relationships and support networks make up the final component of emotional self-care. establishing connections with people that support and care about you when you’re going through difficult times. You can improve your emotional resilience and learn to articulate your feelings in this connection. For university freshmen, counseling services on campus are a great resource. They offer a trained support network that can assist you in expressing your stress and in learning effective coping mechanisms. Finding a study partner or joining a sports club might also make you feel more supported.

STRATEGIES FOR EMOTIONAL SELF-CARE

The strategies listed below are just a few practices that could be used to enhance your emotional self-care. 

  1. Practicing gratitude→creating a list of things to be grateful for
  2. Meditation→ there are lots of videos on youtube or apps that allow you to practice meditation
  3. Journalling→ writing out your feelings and emotions on paper to create a deeper understanding of your emotions
  4. Mindfullness→ the act of noticing the present moment without judgment
  5. Stay connected with others→ maintain and seeing people in which you have strong, supportive relationships
  6. Counselling or Therapy→ talking to a professional about the stressors, anxieties or experiences that are causing you hardships. 

Counselling and Mental Health Resources: 

Another form of Emotional Self-care is counselling or therapy. These practices are useful in reaching the root of your stress and understanding the cause of your emotions. Below is a link to UVIC’s counselling centre and mental health supports

READINGS AND VIEWINGS

Please watch the videos and readings below for more information on emotional self-esteem.

POST READING ACTIVITY

Please complete the google quiz below to deepen your understanding on the material. The grades from this quiz are based on completion on accuracy 

ASSIGNMENT

Now that you have completed this section, please complete Assignment #2: Infographic. All of the details are in the Assignment section including a rubric.