We all look forward to breaks. High schoolers look forward to a break from waking up early and going to school for eight hours a day. College students look forward to a break from a tiny twin bed and hours of schoolwork. Parents look forward to the time to relax instead of chauffeuring their kids to and from countless activities. We all love breaks and we all wish they could come more frequently. However, if we got a week off any time we desperately needed it, nothing would ever get done. So we savor our week to sit on the beach during spring, and our winters spent eating cookies with family, knowing that these few vacations are valuable. There are times when throwing in the towel and running home to your cozy bed may seem like a really good idea, especially when spring or winter break may seem like it’s years away, but there are solutions. Instead of counting down to the next break the second you return from the last one, find ways to treat yourself or tone done the stress in an easy way.
1. Explore
If the stress is building up, try and wander around your campus or the neighborhood surrounding it. Take a walk by yourself to clear your head, and organize your thoughts while breathing in the fresh air. Bring a friend and find a new trail to hike or a restaurant to eat. When in need of a break, homesickness can occur, and instead of giving in, make yourself at home wherever your school may be.
2. Do Something You’ve Been Putting Off
When procrastinating one thing, tasks that have been pushed to the back can come forward. This may mean getting started on a large assignment due at the end of the semester instead of finishing those last few math problems or it may mean finally finishing decorations for your room next year. However small or large, if the current project at hand is becoming too much for you to focus on, try to get something else done in place of it. Taking a step back and refocusing all your frustrated energy on a more simple task can alleviate a lot of the stress, and won’t mess with your productivity.
3. Take a Beach Trip
If the weather is warm, and you’re desperate for a breather, find a nearby beach and kick back. Bring your homework or a book to read and enjoy a day in the sun. A quick escape to a quiet place can cause a complete change in mood. If you don’t want to study there, bring games to play or take a dip in the water to cool off. While a whole week in Florida or Mexico may not be feasible at the time of your stress, a day trip can provide a quick fix for a nice spring or summer day before break comes around.
4. Write a Letter
While technology has definitely made life easier, especially in terms of communication, it’s still incredibly possible for you to miss your friends or family. Weekly FaceTimes or long paragraph texts detailing an exciting week do provide an update about life at college, but oftentimes you still anticipate that face-to-face reunion. But instead of texting frantically back and forth about where to eat and what to do when you’re home, write your friends a note. That way you have time to plan what you want to say to them, and maybe put some more thought into it, instead of firing off ice cream places to stop by. Writing a letter can help you clear your head as well, and plan things out so they aren’t a big blur of information in your already crowded brain. Write to your parents, too and update them on college life. They can keep that letter and look back on it too, which isn’t possible with a text. A letter gives you a chance to add a bit of sentiment and writing out what you’re feeling or planning on doing is another way to relax and find solace.
5. Go Camping
Camping is another easy vacation to take while away at school. Camping provides a way to get off campus and away from the stress for a bit. Buy a tent and some sleeping bags, grab some friends and spend a night under the stars. A night alone in nature can help you center yourself and being surrounded by friends can help you to relax and create some new memories. Bring ingredients to make S’mores and breakfast the next morning.
6. Meditate, Work out, do Yoga
Technology is an advantage yet again. There are countless stress-relieving apps ranging in prices, some free. Download an app that you think will help you relax, whether it be breathing exercises or yoga poses. In addition to an easy fix that can take place in your dorm room, you could also go on a run or head to the gym. This can also release some pent-up energy and give you a chance to step back from the task at hand.
7. Game Night/Puzzles
Breaks not only provide an escape from stress, they also get us away from the same schedule we grow so tired of. An easy way to spice up the nights when school begins to feel tedious is to introduce something that is brand new. A weekly game night can provide something to look forward to (competition, a different game every week). While a schedule of the same thing can be boring, having a fun evening to look forward to every week can add excitement to an otherwise dull semester. A variety of games with a big group of people allow a break from schoolwork as well as a fun way to bond with your friends.
8. Dance it out
One final way to relieve stress and “escape” is to quite simply, crank up your favorite song and let go of all inhibitions. Listening to your favorite song can improve moral and definitely allow you to relax. Go to a concert or a local coffee shop and let the music fill your mind. By focusing on the lyrics and music, the stress you may be feeling is erased and let go of temporarily.
While we all look forward to vacation as a time to escape from everyday life, we often have to wait for weeks for this time to come. Instead of counting down to the summer, go out to eat at a new restaurant or go see a movie with friends.
