After a long, hard semester at college, finally winter break hits and you get a little relaxation. Going from a hectic school schedule with a lot of anxiety tied in the middle, to a long, peaceful winter break can take some adjusting. Here are some tips to help you unwind, relax and fully enjoy your winter break over the holidays.
Get lots of sleep. Yes, I’m sure you’re lacking on your sleep after finals week, which is exactly why the holidays are a great time to catch up on your sleep. The average adult is supposed to get about 8 hours of sleep a night. Although this may be unrealistic to some people, getting into a good sleep pattern over break can help drastically, especially to start your next semester. Make sure to take in all the sleep you can, and don’t feel guilty about it! You deserve it after a long, hard semester.
Do yoga. It’s a great way to unwind during the holidays because it uses a mind-body practice, all while combining meditation and controlled breathing. If you suffer from anxiety, yoga can comfort you by reducing your blood pressure, heart rate and stress level. Not only is it helping your mind, but it also increases your flexibility and is a great workout. The benefits yoga offers are endless and it will get you in the right mindset for a relaxing winter break.
Unplug with a social media detox! Put your phone down, stop checking emails and notifications. If you’re like me, you’re constantly checking your phone and emails and can’t ignore the notification sounds on your phone. Over the semester students get so accustomed to checking their emails and D2L all the time, which can be stressful. By shutting off for a few hours each day, or even a full day, you will allow yourself to destress from the sometimes toxic online world. This may be challenging, but it will help you get into “break mode.”
Get lost in a good book. This is not only be relaxing, but keeps your mind sharp. Over the holidays, you don’t have to completely shut your mind off; it is good to keep normal brain activity even on break. Getting stuck into a good novel appears to be beneficial to our mental health as well. Studies have shown that reading can also help you sleep better, so get comfy and get lost in a new book.
It’s important to take the time to relax and enjoy the holidays after working hard this past semester. By taking the proper steps to unwind your mind and busy life, it will help you appreciate winter break a heck of a lot more!