Globe’s Point: Take Care of Yourself

Heads up everyone, we’re going to touch on some more serious stuff than usual this week, including eating disorders. We know and understand that these can be an uncomfortable and upsetting subject for people, so we just want to let everyone know before they read.

Pioneers, we’ve gotten to that time of year that we all dread getting to every year: mid-February. The semester is well underway, and any excitement anyone had for the return to campus has no doubt been replaced by the unpleasant slog of seasonal depression and other stressors. Coupled with the fact that we’re still experiencing (albeit hopefully the end of) a record-shattering COVID spike, it can seem like things are hopelessly bleak. We’d like to remind everyone that self-care is incredibly important.

The term self-care gets thrown around a lot, but that doesn’t make it any less important. In fact, self-care is arguably the most important part of life. You are yourself, and you should want to strive to be the best you that you can be. Unfortunately, especially for college students, self-care gets put on the back burner. The good news is: you can fix that. The bad news is: you are the one who has to fix that. Self-care is inherently something that oneself has to do.

One big thing that can benefit everyone is exercising more. It can seem hard, especially when it’s so cold out, but exercising regularly helps release endorphins and dopamine in your brain. A study from the University of Berkley showed that exercising can also rewire your own personal self-image to be more positive. Resting enough, and getting those needed eight hours of sleep, will also do wonders for your ability to workout and take care of your health.

Another thing that’s important to do that many people often forget, is to eat properly. According to the National Eating Disorders Association, four out of 10 college students experience or know someone who has experienced an eating disorder during their college tenure. On top of that, Point Park is one of the most food insecure universities in the state.

The important thing to know is that, as with mental health struggles in general, if you are experiencing an eating disorder, you are not alone, and that help is available. If you’re feeling lost, the University Counseling Center is available. There are also many organizations available for helping students with eating disorders specifically. One resource is the Emily Program, an organization that has an office in the Pittsburgh area that offers personalized treatment for multiple different kinds of eating disorders.

The important thing to know is that you can get through this. We all can get through this. We all just need to remember to take care of ourselves, and to take care of each other.