As high school students, we’re often lost or confused by the multitude of tasks school requires us to complete, not to mention extracurricular activities. These demands and activities may result in stress and numerous other factors that could impact a student’s mental well-being. “Academic-related stress is a common issue among high school and college students, causing anxiety and pressure to achieve high grades. Girls often report higher levels of anxiety, and this stress significantly impacts their academic performance, mental health, and overall well-being” (Pascoe, Hetrick & Parker, 2019).

What is Self-Care?
Self-care refers to a range of activities and approaches undertaken by an individual to maintain health and manage ill-health which may include various complementary or alternative approaches. According to Oxford English Dictionary, the earliest known use of the noun self-care is in the mid 1500s by George Turberville, poet and translator. 

Why Does Self-Care Matter?

Mental Health: Our mental health can be negatively impacted by the academic demands, social dynamics, and personal struggles that come with high school. Self-care practices, such as journaling, practising mindfulness, or going outside, can reduce stress and foster mental toughness.

Physical Health: A sound body is necessary for a sound mind. Maintaining our physical health with regular exercise, a healthy diet, and enough sleep—not only does increase our energy levels, but it also improves our concentration and academic performance.

Emotional Well-Being: Although it can sometimes be emotionally draining, high school is a period of emotional development and self-discovery. Self-care involves being aware of and accepting our feelings, getting help when we need it, connecting with others, and doing things that make us happy and fulfilled.

Academic Performance: Putting self-care first doesn’t hurt your academic performance; on the contrary, it improves it. Taking care of ourselves in general and being organized in specific make us more capable of managing the rigours of the classroom, maintaining concentration during study sessions, and performing better on tests.

Long-Term Habits: Developing self-care practices in high school lays the groundwork for long-term well-being. Prioritizing self-care today not only does it help us in the here and now, but also gives us invaluable coping skills and abilities for the future.

It’s easy to undervalue the importance of self-care amid high school chaos. On the other hand, if we want to succeed academically, emotionally, and physically, we must put our health first. We can face the obstacles of high school with resilience, balance, and self-compassion if we adopt self-care techniques into our everyday lives and prioritize our health and happiness. Remember that you have the right to put your wellbeing first—and that taking care of yourself is not selfish—rather, it is necessary.

—By: Randa Alfayez

References:
Pascoe, Michaela C., Sarah E. Hetrick, and Alexandra G. Parker. “The impact of stress on students in secondary school and higher education.” Educational Psychology in Practice, vol. 35, no. 2, 2019, pp. 104-112. doi:10.1080/02673843.2019.1596823.

Pilkington, Karen, and Lisa Susan Wieland. “Self-care for anxiety and depression: a comparison of evidence from Cochrane reviews and practice to inform decision-making and priority-setting.” BMC Complement Med Ther, vol. 20, 2020, p. 247. Published online 2020 Aug 10.

“Self-care.” Lexico, Oxford University Press, n.d. Web. 04 March 2024.