With social media beginning to idealize the act of self care, more people are participating in this “trend” of taking care of yourself. But what does taking care of yourself really mean?
By: Charlotte Brown
Whether it is reading a relaxing book, hanging out with friends or taking a nice long shower, selfcare is important in any way that it comes. High school can be a stressful time so prioritizing the act of self care is valuable for anyone.
Students at Redwood High School have to keep up with daily life, plus the added stress that comes with Highschool. When it comes to self care routines, it is important to these students that they include time for themselves in their daily/weekly lives.
Emerson Minnick, ’26, is involved in Choir, Swim and Water Polo at Redwood. With a busy schedule like Minnick’s, time to himself is important.
Minnick says, “Self-care to me is basically taking care of yourself so that you can do better and feel better in your day to day life.”
Photo Brown/Gigantea
He says, “For me personally, I like to shower in the morning and then after swim practice. I enjoy doing some skincare and hair care but that’s my routine.”
Minnick says that he values his routine because it readies him for the day and prepares him for challenges. It also makes him feel confident and when he feels confident he feels more ready to go throughout the day.
Dana Chavez, ’26, is the leader of the T.P.W.K club and is involved in other clubs around Redwood’s campus. She also teaches dance outside of school.
Chavez says, “Honestly self care to me is just keeping myself in a state where I feel good. I don’t have to feel super pretty or whatever I just want to feel good.”
Dana says that a really important part of her wellness routine is to journal every night because it helps her reflect on the day and get her thoughts out on paper.
She says, “Sometimes I struggle to keep it consistent but I just remember that it keeps me happy and I enjoy taking care of myself in a way that makes me feel good.”
Nathan Delgado, ’26, is involved in choir and is also an active member of the Campus Life club.
Delgado says that part of his routine is waking up, praying and reading the Bible.
Photo Courtesy Nathan Delgado
He says, “During Covid I struggled but since then I have found that I have grown a lot and I owe that to my wellness routine because once I started taking care of myself, not only physically but emotionally too, I saw huge growth in myself.”
Bendijna Stahl
Bendijna Stahl, ’26, is involved in AVID at Redwood and has many other interests across campus.
Stahl says, “Self care is when you take care of yourself in ways that make you feel good and provide the best for yourself.”
Stahl says that her wellness routine is important to her because she wants to be as presentable as she can and feel confident in herself.
She says, “The small things I do for myself like reading or hanging out with friends bring me joy in my self care routine.”
Wesley Ball, ‘25, is an ASB member and Tennis player who is also involved in the Ace Academy.
Photo Brown/gigantea
Ball says, “To me personally, self care is just keeping yourself clean, like your body clean as well as your mind.”
For Wesley, his wellness routine consists of listening to music, riding his bike, hanging out with friends and being in the moment and mindful.
Ball adds, “Sometimes people can put a lot of pressure on themselves but I think it’s important to slow down and reflect on what you have done and that’s a form of self care.”
Charlotte Brown
Charlotte Brown enjoys taking pictures and catching moments in time to create memories. She likes to be on the side lines for sports unless it is soccer then she will enjoy playing on the field. She hopes to be able to keep everyone updated on the sports team and how they are doing.
Tags: clubs & lifestyles, Redwood, redwood gigantea, redwood high school, redwood rangers