Congratulations, Wolfpack! We’ve made it to the halfway point in the semester. Now, more than ever, it’s important to take care of yourself. This week, we’ll dive into the relevance of Sleep Awareness Week and Brain Awareness Week, and some ways to take care of yourself and keep your spark alive!
Sleep Awareness Week
March 8-14 was Sleep Awareness Week. Wellness and Recreation has shared a variety of articles informing you about how to maintain quality sleep, such as the Calm Nights, Strong Days — Building Supportive Sleep Habits article or Sleep Tight: Navigating Mid-Semester Rest with Healthy Sleep Habits. But why is getting quality sleep important?
Another reason sleep is so important is because of its impact on brain function. According to Shevaun Neupert, Professor of Psychology at NC State,
“Sleep is so important for brain health that it has been compared to a garbage disposal. Sleep functions to clear out toxic metabolic waste that builds up during waking hours.”
Brain Awareness Week
Speaking of brain function, March 16-22 was Brain Awareness Week. This week features informative outreach related to the field of neuroscience!
Keeping Your Spark Alive Through Self-Care
Sleep is one of the many ways to practice self-care. When you don’t get enough sleep, you might feel more anxious, irritable or find it difficult to learn or retain information. Those are the dangers of sleep deprivation; you’re not yourself!
Here’s a short guide on how to keep your spark going while keeping sleep at its core.
Prioritize Timing
A great way to take care of yourself is by prioritizing your time. It’s easy to get overwhelmed with the semester coming to a close, but it’s important to make the most of your time. Make sure your schedule still allows for adequate sleep, time with others and time for yourself.
Keep Your Hobbies
Keep the things that fulfill you in your schedule. Reflect on your calendar now. Can you identify at least one daily activity that energizes you? What about one larger, monthly activity? Maybe this is something you’ve always done, like playing a sport or maybe it’s something you’ve always wanted to try, like an outdoor adventure.
Practice Mindfulness
If you find yourself struggling for time to get everything in, try incorporating one brief moment of connection through mindfulness. A body scan or mindfulness walk might be the perfect chance to reflect openly about your day and enter a state of calm before bed.
Recharge with Wolfpack Resources
As the semester picks up, it’s important to take time for yourself. Fortunately, our university offers several resources to help students relax and recharge at their convenience!
Arts at NC State
Creativity can also recharge our minds in ways we do not realize. Indulge in a new or current hobby at one of NC State’s many arts facilities. Go enjoy a show at the University Theatre or program at NC State LIVE. Maybe you want to get in touch with hands-on crafting at the Crafts Center or the Maker Space.
Relax with Wellness and Recreation
Come to Wellness and Recreation for your self-care needs, both physical and mental. Enjoy meditative yoga sessions or revitalizing zumba classes. If you need a quiet breather, take a minute to relax in the sauna on the first floor near the pool entrance. Or, come enjoy one of Wellness and Recreation’s many sports facilities – from the basketball to pickleball courts!
In addition, students can schedule a free appointment with a certified wellness coach as a part of their four free sessions for wellness coaching. Coaches can help you with goal setting, nutrition, physical activity, resilience, stress and time management.
Coming up, students can also participate in De-Stress Fest, hosted by Wellness and Recreation in April. The week features relaxing and mindful activities designed to help students unwind and recharge during the busy end-of-semester period.
Small Changes, Better Rest
Getting enough sleep is not just about rest; it is about finding the right balance between resting, managing stress, and engaging in activities that support our overall well-being. By taking out time everyday to find this balance, you can build healthier routines that lead to better sleep and a steadier college experience.
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