If you're anything like me, your idea of the perfect spring break is going home, getting some rest and spending time with your family and friends. But with mid-terms and finals approaching quickly, is it really possible to take a step back from all the chaos?

Here are some simple ways to help you just breathe:

Or delete your most frequently used, time-wasting apps for the week. You will be amazed at how much free time you have when you're not subconsciously checking Instagram every 12 minutes.

Start going to bed early.

We all tell ourselves that we want to stop going to bed at 2 am and waking up at noon. Well, here is your chance to fix that! Start slow and work your way back. Then, when you return to school or work in a week or so, you'll have no problem falling asleep by 9:30.

Embrace the outdoors wherever you may be. Head to the beach and relax, have a picnic, drive up to the mountains for a full day of skiing, or do some yoga. Whatever you find joy in doing outside, go do it.

For some reason this makes me feel like I've really gotten something done. It's so nice to catch up and feel nostalgic and what better time to grab a quick coffee with an old friend than during spring break?

Volunteer.

I promise it can be so much fun! Take some friends with you and go help out at a ministry or non-profit for a few hours. This not only makes you feel wonderful, but it can genuinely mean the world to the people you're serving. It's a great way to take your mind off your so-called "problems" and remind you how truly blessed you are.

I don't care if it's your first time visiting or if you've lived there your whole life. Go explore.

Be productive, but not in a school/work kind of way. Get creative. You can paint, cook, scrapbook, build a bird house, etc. The possibilities are endless.

This one makes me so happy! It's really entertaining to re-discover some of your childhood memories. Find your favorite movie from when you were 6-years-old. Get out that board game you used to play around the dinner table. Fix the old tire swing in the backyard. Or just reminisce about the times when life was a whole lot simpler...

It's easy to get caught up when you're so busy and have got so many things going on. Nowadays, we look at spring break with so many crazy plans in mind that slowing down is the last thing on our to-do list. I understand if that's the spring break you're after, and if it is, I wish you luck. But for those of us who are really want to relax during these next few weeks, take the time to pump the breaks and spend it with the people you love doing the things that make you happy.