4 spring break wellness tips
Spring break doesn鈥檛 just offer a much-needed pause in the semester鈥攊t also provides us with an opportunity to reset, recharge and reconnect with ourselves and others.听听
Whether you鈥檙e planning to get away or enjoy a quiet week at home, here are some tips to help you take care of your mental and physical well-being over break.听听
1. Prepare in advance听
Academic stress can take over your break, especially if you don鈥檛 prepare in advance. Here are a couple things that can help:听
Get ahead if possible:听
First, consider upcoming assignments, tests or projects you may have. Is there anything you can reasonably complete before break begins? Setting a realistic schedule to get work done in advance can help you make the most of your free time without feeling bogged down by homework.听
Plan out your time:听
Next, consider how you want to spend your break. Are there any activities you want to enjoy? Are there places you鈥檇 like to visit or people you鈥檇 like to spend time with? Try to carve out some time each day to do something completely unrelated to school, work, chores or other responsibilities.听
2. Take a break from social media听
Social media can make it feel like everyone is having a wonderful spring break. Try not to compare your experiences鈥搚our break is about you! If you find yourself doom-scrolling, reading unpleasant news stories or focusing too much of your time on social media, it may be time to take a break (at least for the week). Try deleting social apps from your phone, turning off app notifications or simply moving your social apps off of your main home screen.听听
These tactics can help you be more intentional about spending time IRL rather than online. If you can鈥檛 let go of your social media accounts completely, try only using them to make real-life plans with friends. For instance, message people to meet up or plan outings instead of just sending memes back and forth.听
3. Get outside听
Whether you鈥檙e escaping to warmer weather or sticking around town, spending time outside can help ease the mental fatigue that builds up during the semester.听
To make the most of your time outside, try some of these practices:听
- Taking a 鈥渟ensory walk鈥 where you focus on experiencing one sense at a time (i.e., sight, smell, sound, touch, taste).听
- Enjoy a hike or nature walk with friends to catch up or enjoy a picnic together.听
- Soak up the sun, if possible, to get some vitamin D. Just remember to use sunscreen, wear a hat and wear sunglasses for eye protection.听
- Leave your phone at home and simply enjoy being in nature. You may miss a picture-worthy moment, but you鈥檙e more likely to experience a fuller sense of awe.听
Remember that you don't need perfect weather to benefit from outdoor time. Spring weather can be unpredictable, especially in Colorado, but even sitting on a covered porch during rain or taking a brief walk on a cloudy day can help shift your mood.听
Tip: If you need help coming up with places to go around Boulder, check out the or 听
4. Don鈥檛 forget the basics听
It can be tempting to let go of your routine over break, which may do more harm than good when it comes time to return to class. Instead, try to focus on maintaining a similar routine and schedule throughout break.听
Here are some things to consider:听
- Get sleep: Try to get seven to nine hours of sleep each night. It can be helpful to wake up and go to bed around the same time each night. If you decide to sleep in, try to keep it within an hour of your normal time.听
- Stay active: Physical activity can help boost your mood and reduce stress. Staying active, even in small bursts, can help. For instance, you may opt to take the stairs instead of the elevator, park farther away to extend your walk, stretch for 10 minutes in the morning or do a quick circuit. You can also take a quick trip to the Rec Center to work out or play a game of pickup basketball.听
- Fuel your brain: Your brain needs food to function, so it鈥檚 important to eat regular meals and snacks throughout the day. Keep in mind that options on campus may look different over break. Be sure to check hours and menus in advance when planning your week.听
- Stay hydrated: Dehydration can cause a variety of symptoms, including fatigue, headaches, mood changes, issues with memory, slowed reaction time and poor concentration. Try to consistently drink water throughout the day.听听
- Take care of your mental health: Spring break can be a difficult time for many students. If you鈥檙e struggling, be sure to reach out to resources like Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) for support. They offer drop-in hours, workshops, groups and more. If you won鈥檛 be in Boulder for break, consider using AcademicLiveCare, which offers free virtual appointments for counseling, medical care and nutrition.听听
If you鈥檙e not in the habit of taking care of yourself, it can be helpful to schedule it. Carve out some time in the day and add it to your calendar, planner or set an alarm as a reminder. Commit to taking care of these needs during the scheduled time, so you don鈥檛 accidentally put it off indefinitely.听