Spring Break is here so you know what that means: a good tan, a bomb Instagram selfie, and ALL of your favorite foods, right? Well, unfortunately for some, having “fun” in the moment ends up putting your health, both physical and mental, at risk for the future. But, not to fear! I have a few tips to make sure your Spring Break is all fun-in-the-sun and no frustration-on-vacation!
The first rule that tends to go out the window at a tropical destination is wearing sunscreen: “I just want to get a tan!” However, while it might seem like a good idea in the moment to lather yourself in harmful oils instead of sun-block, your skin will thank you later if you skip the burn! Not wearing sunscreen can lead to wrinkles, dried skin, an increase in your chances of skin cancer, and not to mention the pain of a sunburnt body! I promise, you can still get a tan with sunscreen on, just a much safer one. When picking out the perfect kind, remember that a minimum of SPF 15 or 30 is recommended for everyday wear.
Another way to stay healthy this Spring Break is by remembering that you are not immune to illnesses when you are on vacation. Especially with cases of the Coronavirus going around, you can never be too careful. Some tips for this would be to not share straws/drinks with anyone, no matter how cute it might look for an Instagram post. Also, make sure to wash your hands frequently and if you feel under the weather, stay in! There is no reason to spread germs just because you don’t want to miss out on something. FOMO is nothing compared to MOBYS: missing out because you’re sick!
Another big thing to keep in mind during Spring Break is how to preserve your mental health. While a week off of school can be fun, social media can cause you to believe that you aren’t having enough fun. Constantly comparing yourself to other people’s bikini pictures, watching people hang out with a ton of friends or even watching someone with a boyfriend/girlfriend can take a serious toll on your brain. But it does not matter! Have the Spring Break that sounds the most fun to you, not social media! Nothing you ever see on Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, or Instagram is ever the full story and is always padded to make them look cuter or like they’re having more fun. Perhaps even challenge yourself to take a break from social media and truly enjoy your time off, your self-confidence will thank you later!
Skip the post-Spring Break blues! Put your health first this Spring Break so you can fully get the most out of your time outside of school, as well as not being worse-off when the break is over.
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