The start of a new semester can be exciting and challenging. Changes to our class schedules, living situations, daily routines and overall responsibilities can make it hard to pinpoint exactly where we need to prioritize our time or energy.
Here are a few questions to ask yourself to help you understand your relationship with self-care, what works for you right now and where to go from here.
What does self-care mean to you?
Over the past few years, self-care has transformed into a buzzword. While taking care of ourselves seems self-explanatory, self-care as a whole can feel abstract or difficult to achieve. Take some time to reflect on what self-care means to you and any assumptions you may have about what self-care looks like.
These questions can help you get started:
What are some barriers to your self-care routine?
There are a number of barriers that can interfere with our efforts to engage in self-care. These include personal circumstances as well as structural factors that may be out of our control. Think through some of the barriers that may be impacting you.
Here are some common barriers to self-care and ways to overcome them:
Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS)
CAPS provides mental health support for all CU Boulder students, including mental health screenings, brief individual therapy, group therapy, workshops and more.
Workshops
Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) offers a variety of free weekly workshops to help students manage stress/anxiety, learn about healthy habits, meditate, navigate difficult conversations and more!
Peer Wellness Coaching
Peer Wellness Coaching is a free service available to CU students to help you set and achieve wellness goals. Coaches are trained in a number of topic areas, including finances, relationships, stress management, sleep, self-image, self-care and more.
Let’s Talk
Let’s Talk is a free service where CU Boulder students can check in via telehealth or in person for an informal and confidential consultation with a counselor. No appointment is necessary.
Weekly wellness programs
Join Health Promotion for weekly wellness programs to learn about college health topics, practice self-care, learn about campus resources and meet informally with peer educators.
Rec Center
If you’re looking for someone to help keep you motivated or create new healthier habits for yourself, the Rec Center can help! They offer a variety of services, including classes, workshops, personal and partner training, equipment rentals and more.
Nutrition Services
Want to learn more about nutrition this semester? Students can schedule a free consultation with a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) at Wardenburg or the Rec Center. Ongoing nutrition counseling is also available at Wardenburg.
Medical Services
Medical Services offers a wide range of services to help students stay healthy throughout college. You can schedule a yearly physical, learn about sexual and reproductive health, enjoy a massage, try out acupuncture, meet with a physical therapist, receive nutrition coaching and more right here on campus!