Remote Wellness Blog—SA Student-run
You know when you are constantly yawning, drained all the time, and telling yourself, “I am just tired”? Yeah… I lived in that phrase for months. Spoiler alert: I was not just tired. I was mentally, emotionally, and physically worn out. What I really needed was not a nap; it was a whole wellness reset.
Tired Was Just the Tip of the Iceberg
I was trying to juggle being a good student, chasing top grades, while carrying the weight of financial stress, emotional burnout, and the silent pressure of always being “the strong one.”
- Finances? Not financing.
- Academics? A pressure cooker.
- Mental health? Let’s just say it clocked out months before I did.
And yet, I kept telling myself I was “just tired,” as if sleep alone could fix the sinking feeling I had every morning, the one that made getting out of bed feel like lifting weights with my soul. Eventually, I realized something had to change. I did not need a week off. I needed wellness habits that would help me stay afloat every single day.
The 5 Wellness Habits That Changed My “Tired” to “Thriving”
These habits were not fancy. They did not require money or a Pinterest board. But they gave me energy I did not know I could feel again.
1. I Stopped Reaching for My Phone First Thing in the Morning
I used to scroll social media before I even got out of bed. Within five minutes, I was comparing my life to people vacationing in Bali… while I was stuck in my room, stressed about assignments, and eating pap. Now, I wake up and breathe first. I stretch. I drink water. I even step outside if I can. The peace of those first 10 minutes helps me start my day on my terms, not TikTok’s.
2. I Started Feeding Myself Like I Loved Myself
I did not suddenly start eating quinoa and green smoothies; I am still a broke student, remember? But I began making meals that nourished me, even if they were simple. Boiled eggs, rice with veggies from the vendor, or just adding a banana to breakfast. That small shift made me feel more in control, even when life felt chaotic.
3. I Made Room for a 5-Minute “Mind Dump” Every Night
My brain was overloaded with to-do lists, regrets, and overthinking. So I started writing everything down before bed: fears, wins, cringe moments, and even dreams. Not in a fancy journal. Just a piece of paper or my notes app. Getting it out of my head and onto something helped me sleep better and wake up feeling less overwhelmed.
4. I Moved My Body Without Making It a Chore
I used to think exercise was a punishment, something you did to look a certain way. When I started walking during study breaks or dancing to music in my room, it changed how I felt mentally. Even just 10 minutes of movement helped me shake off anxiety and feel alive again.
5. I Gave Myself Permission to Just… Be
Not every day is a “grind day.” I used to beat myself up for not being productive, for needing rest, or for not being my “best self” all the time. Now, I am learning to be gentle with myself. Survival is already a full-time job, and rest is not laziness; it is part of the healing.
You Might Not Be Just Tired Either
If you are reading this and nodding along, please hear this: you are not weak. You are just stretched too thin. “Tired” might actually be burnout, emotional exhaustion, or just the side effects of being human in a world that asks too much. Start small. One habit. One change. One deep breath.
Wellness does not have to look like spa days and smoothie bowls. Sometimes it looks like drinking water, sitting in silence, or saying “no” to something that drains you. You deserve to feel better, even if nothing around you has changed yet. Trust me, I did not need a vacation. I just needed these small acts of self-care that reminded me I am allowed to feel good. You are too.
