Winter break is supposed to be that cozy, undisturbed, month-long period of living in fuzzy socks and sleeping in until whenever. But somehow it always turns into a chaotic mix of trying to catch up with friends, navigating family commitments, picking up extra shifts, and trying to recover from end-of-semester burnout. Trying to jam all of these events into a small window can add up, leading to a noisy few weeks, and you don’t realize the toll it takes until you are back for the spring semester.
So, if you return to campus more tired and exhausted than when you left, this one is for you. Here are a few tips on how to make winter break restful (for real this time).
1.) Don’t overbook your first week home
The second you walk in the door, you are bombarded by people asking to go here, or do this, or try this thing. While it is very tempting to say yes to all of these events, those first few days home should be your time to decompress.
Take those few days for yourself. Unpack slowly, sleep in, practice some self-care, and watch the same movies you’ve seen one thousand times already.
Give yourself space and time to transition out of “finals mode.”
2.) Let yourself be unproductive—on purpose
It’s hard to come home and really try to relax; you are probably thinking you should take this time to start a three-year plan, or rearrange your room, or even look into grad school–something along those lines.
It’s important to know that it is okay to feel unproductive.
Your brain and body are recovering from constantly racing to meet deadlines; let it.
3.) If you are working or interning, schedule real days off
If money or prior obligations mean that you will not be lying around all break and are preventing you from fully slowing down, you should still plan days to be able to unwind.
Not a half-rest day, not catching up on whatever it is, real unapologetic downtime.
4.) create technology boundaries
Now, I do not mean completely unplug everything, but try
- staying off your phone for the first 30 minutes when you wake up
- putting and keeping your phone away while watching a movie, or enjoying an activity
- delete a social media platform for a few days
- try to avoid doomscrolling in bed
a quiet phone = a quiet mind
5.) reconnect with things you actually enjoy
Not what you think is productive, or what needs to be done, but things you genuinely enjoy doing that do not feel like work.
Pick up a hobby you enjoyed that may have gotten lost in the depths of the challenges brought on by the semester.
Here are a few ideas: baking, reading, collaging, going to the local Target for no reason, and walking (notice how none of these require too much brain power).
6.) spend time with people who refill your batteries
With winter break comes the added pressure of catching up with those you haven’t seen in a hot minute. Let me remind you: You do not owe anyone your limited energy.
Choose quality over quantity. Choose the people who fill your battery rather than drain it.
7.) ease back into school mode early (so panic doesn’t set in later)
While it is inevitable, you will have to go back at some point. For some people, it is the ultimate case of the Sunday scaries. I am not promoting full-blown studying, but some gentle, easy preparation to guide yourself into the spring.
Take a peek at your syllabi, get your textbooks in order, and maybe even set some small goals or intentions.
These small steps can prevent the “I have class tomorrow?!” surprise that has the potential to ruin the last few moments of winter break.
The bottom line is that winter break does not need to be a productive, social marathon. It can be and is your rest, a chance to slow down and just be. No deadlines to meet, no exams to study for. It’s a chance for a full body reset. Allowing you to take on the spring semester fully refreshed.