Welcome to 2021! Although there is a lot to look forward to with the start of a new year, Covid19 still lingers causing stress and inconvenience. Students and teachers alike would rather have a root canal than hear another news report on Covid19! How do we look past that and keep our energy up, focus on our educational goals, and start feeling human again? The answer…. Self-care.  Self-care is a concept that Massage Therapists have been recommending to their patients for years.  It can take a variety of forms, but basically means blocking out specific times to engage in healthy activities that energize and rejuvenate you.  Studies have shown getting out in nature is an excellent form of self-care. A short nature walk of even 15 mins can reduce stress, and improve your outlook on life.  Dark chocolate has been proven to have health benefits! ( I know right!?!) some studies show an improvement  of brain function with eating dark chocolate over a  5 day period. Not to mention that dark chocolate and study go well together! Self-care can take the form of exercise, healthy eating, quiet meditation, stretching, or giving yourself a pedicure….  The important part is to consciously incorporate a few minutes each day to say “hey, I’m taking care of you” to your body. This enables your bodies to keep working for you!   If Covid19 continues to affect your studies, you can access mental health support though Here2Talk.ca. Here2Talk connects students with mental health support when they need it. Through this program, all students currently registered in a B.C. post-secondary institution have access to free, confidential counselling and community referral services, conveniently available 24/7 via app, phone and web.