By Ava Rose, Child and Youth Care practicum student

Have you ever stayed up late just to finish an assignment or catch up on studying? I know I have. Sometimes it feels like I need to really push myself just to keep up with school, work and life in general. When I fall short of those expectations, guilt creeps in fast. I know I’m not alone in this, and that it’s something many of us at Douglas have experienced at some point.  

During my practicum with the Student Affairs and Services Wellness Team, I’ve come to realize how important it is to meet myself with compassion during tough moments. This mindset has helped me build more resilience and take better care of my mental and physical wellness. Especially during exam season, I’ve found that being gentle with myself and focusing on small, sustainable habits make the biggest difference. I genuinely encourage other students to take an approach of self-compassion when dealing with the stresses of school and personal life.  

How self-compassion enhances physical wellness 

1. Reduce exercise guilt and encourage movement 

Many students, me included experience guilt when they miss a workout or struggle to meet their fitness goals. Self-compassion has encouraged me to reframe exercise – now I see it as a way to care for myself, not a reflection of self-worth. Instead of feeling guilty for missing a workout, I am able to recognize that rest is essential for maintaining my wellness! Ben, a second-year Computing Science student, says, “I used to force myself to go to the gym even when I was burnt out from school and work. Now, I listen to my body. Some days I focus on letting myself get lots of rest since I know it’s the best thing I can do for myself at that moment.” 

2. Nourish the body with kindness 

Self-compassion also changes the way I think about nutrition. Instead of focusing on restrictive diets that often lead to guilt and unhealthy habits, I try to approach eating with mindfulness. That means paying attention to hunger cues, enjoying meals without judgment and choosing foods that fuel me. My classmate, Donna, a fourth-year Child and Youth Care student, shared with me a similar perspective: “I used to feel guilty about eating ‘unhealthy’ foods, but now I practice balance. One meal doesn’t define my health or well-being; if I want to have a sweet treat, I will let myself, without feeling guilty.”  

3. Prioritize rest and recovery 

Rest, whether it’s sleep or simply taking time to unwind, is a key part of mental and physical wellness. For me, practicing self-compassion helps me recognize when I need a break, instead of seeing it as being lazy. Sleep is often not prioritized by students because of the need to meet deadlines or cram for exams. But approaching rest with a self-compassionate mindset helps set boundaries, like calling it a night instead of pushing through. Claire, a third-year Financial Services student, has started prioritizing rest: “I constantly remind myself that time management is really important. If I’m not able to get something done and it’s getting pretty late, I know how important it is to prioritize rest so I can be more present when revisiting studying or assignments the next day.”

Douglas College supports

Douglas College offers resources that can help you integrate self-compassion into your wellness journey:

• Athletics and recreation: The College offers access – included in your student fees – to campus fitness centres, group fitness classes, and fun intramural sports to help you stay active and connected. 

• Counselling: College counsellors can provide guidance on how to balance wellness and academic life, while also giving yourself kindness. 

• Wellness events: Get support and learn strategies for self-compassion, stress management and holistic wellness. Contact saswellness@douglascollege.ca for additional support or information on events! 

Wellness, as a whole, isn’t about perfection: It’s about being kind to yourself. Practicing self-compassion in movement, nutrition and rest can help us develop habits that support long-term well-being. As you navigate student life, remember that taking care of yourself isn’t selfish, it’s essential!  

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References:

Gedik Z. (2019). Self-compassion and health-promoting lifestyle behaviors in college students. Psychology, health & medicine, 24(1), 108–114. https://doi.org/10.1080/13548506.2018.150369  

Homan, K. J., & Sirois, F. M. (2017). Self-compassion and physical health: Exploring the roles of perceived stress and health-promoting behaviors. Health psychology open, 4(2), 2055102917729542. https://doi.org/10.1177/2055102917729542  

Wong, M. Y. C., Chung, P.-K., & Leung, K.-M. (2021). The relationship between physical activity and self-compassion: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mindfulness, 12(3), 547–563. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-020-01513-4