Finally, after weeks of exams, essays, and assignments, spring break is a time to just relax. Though it lasts only a week, this respite is critical to young people. Since 2013, American teenagers have reported greater levels of stress than adults. In 2015, 30 percent of college students reported that stress had harmed their academic performance. Which means this spring break, you should take a few days to unwind and prepare for the rest of the semester.
Though most adults need 6-10 hours of sleep each night, college students sleep an average of only 6-6.9 hours per night. Lack of sleep can have serious health consequences. Sleep benefits the brain in numerous ways — from clearing toxins to consolidating memory. Insufficient sleep can negatively influence everything from creativity to cognitive function.
Have a lazy day.
Spend a day away from assignments and work. Don’t even think about homework, tests, or internships. Simply relax, and channel your inner vegetable.
After a day of lounging, plan a day with your friends. Catch up with people from your hometown, or invite some university friends to come and visit. Take a daytrip to a new destination. Go shopping in the city. Have a movie marathon. Whatever it is, make sure it’s enjoyable. If your thoughts start to drift back to upcoming assignments, extracurricular obligations, or anything school-related, do your best to block them out. And remember that scientists have found that social engagement is a key component of maintaining solid mental health.
Catch up on neglected hobbies.
Most college students have at least one activity that they have neglected since arriving at university. Somewhere between all the exams and the distribution requirements, previous passions seems to fade into oblivion. Spring break is the ideal time to revisit a forgotten pastime. Maybe you miss hiking or tennis or painting. Dedicating a day, or even just a few hours, to an abandoned activity is incredibly rewarding. You may even find a way to integrate an old hobby into your college life.
Read for fun.
How long has it been since you read a book for pleasure? With the workload at many universities, college students often lack the time to even skim through a non-required book. This spring break, take a moment to do some personal reading. Pick up a new bestseller, or reread a favorite. When you do return to school, remembering how much you love reading just might make the textbook a little less painful.