As young college students, we are constantly stressed about something. Whether it’s a big test, our work schedule, or our lack of money, there are a lot of potential stressors out there for young people. While there are probably tons of methods out there that will help you to minimize your stress levels, I believe that there is one very simple solution that is constantly overlooked: Treating ‘yo self.

If you are not a fan of the T.V. Show Parks and Recreation, you may not understand this reference, though it is pretty self-explanatory. The basic idea of “Treat ‘Yo Self” is that you deserve to reward yourself for events like a job well done, or a stressful experience you’ve just endured. It’s important to remember though, that when you are treating yourself, the actual reward is not as important as the act of rewarding yourself. Was that a little confusing? Let me try again.

Basically, it doesn’t really matter if you treat yourself with a bowl of your favorite ice cream flavor, or if you buy yourself a really expensive watch. The actual act of planning something nice for yourself is far more important than the actual, physical reward.

When you plan something nice for yourself, two amazing things happen: you will have something to look forward to and you will become your top priority. Next time you have a major project, or an important goal to achieve, plan to do something nice for yourself. It will go a long way.

|Stay motivated and don’t give up. Amazing things will happen|

Julia O’Connor