It’s nine o’clock on a Saturday night and I just finished my skin care routine, my fluffy pajamas are on, there’s a fresh cup of green tea on the nightstand, an episode of Grey’s Anatomy playing and my favorite vanilla candle is burning. I call that my self-care time. Generation Z has embraced the term “self care” and become a generation that values balancing mental wellness with everyday life, but social media makes us feel guilty for not indulging in self care at the same level as others.
“Self care” refers to the proactive steps of improving one’s well being, in both the mental and physical realm. The Global Self Care Federation says the practice “empowers people to take their health and wellbeing into their own hands, giving them the incentive to improve their quality of life.” According to Think Global Health, the stress of school, entering the workforce, the political climate and living through a global pandemic have affected Gen Z’s mental health. Our generation is more open about mental health awareness and is interested in taking care of themselves.
“Self care allows time for my mind to be quiet and I find it good for my overall well being,” said Bria Cooper, a senior performing arts and social justice major. Cooper is in the phase of senior year where the pressures of post-graduation life are creeping in. She feels the time spent by herself with a book, freshly washed sheets and her phone set to “Do Not Disturb” is a form of luxury.
It is a positive thing that young people want to improve their quality of life and engage in activities that make them feel at ease. Social media is a space for individuals to share their self care journeys, but it is also the culprit for why self care has gone too far. With the busy lives we live, not everyone has the time to frequently work out or have an extensive skin care routine. The #Selfcare hashtag on TikTok has 15.6 million posts of individuals sharing their nightly skin care routines, favorite hobbies and mental health advice. The same hashtag on Instagram has 93.8 million posts and is full of mindfulness quotes, journaling prompts and inspiration to eat healthy. On both platforms, Gen Z uses “Sunday reset” to deem Sunday as the day to engage with self care activities that might have been skipped during the week, like cleaning and prepping meals.
According to Pion’s 2023 Youth Trends Report, 47% of U.S. young people have viewed “that girl” content, a type of wellness content that boasts the self care and productivity for the ideal young woman in her twenties. Viewers of that content reported that wellness trends made them feel like they were not achieving enough in their daily lives.
Civic Science reported research findings in 2023 that an estimated one in five Gen Zers used the apps “Calm” and “Headspace” for guided meditation practice. However, self care looks different for every individual and is not limited to the intense, several step self care routines on social media. We don’t have to stay home to practice self care. We live in a city where going out to bars and partying is enticing to college students, but it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. I find picnics in the park and going to a cafe with friends is just as fulfilling.
Leah Laford, a sophomore marketing major, said, “By prioritizing activities that rejuvenate me, I’m able to show up as my best self for others while honoring my own needs and boundaries.” Laford’s ideal forms of self care include dancing, quality time with friends and watching movies.
With the digital age, we’re invited into other people’s lives which makes viewing self-care as something to be perfectly curated rather than practiced genuinely. The solution is to practice self care as we see fit, not how we see it online. There is no harm in relieving our stress and taking care of our mental health to prevent burnout and improve our well being.
Editor-in-Chief: Jordan Premmer, Chief Copy Editor: Sophia McCrackin, Managing Editor: Jordan DelFiugo, Opinion Editor: Dakota Duran, Scene Editor: Elina Graham
