How to Rest and Recharge this Spring Break

Spring Break is almost here! We have a few tips to help you rest, recharge, and make the most of your Spring break, that should be just that…a break.

Get Plenty of Rest

Mid semester stress can prevent restful sleep which impacts your ability to focus and your overall mood. Here are a few ways you can get better sleep and build a more restful routine:

• Get at least 7 hours of sleep! Take your usual wake up time when classes are in session and work backwards to determine your bedtime. For example, if you wake up at 6:00am, you should be asleep by 11:00pm. Try it over break to build a new routine!

• Take a 20-minute power nap around lunch time to catch up on rest and stay alert throughout the day. Make sure to keep it short to avoid grogginess.

• Go for a quick 30-minute walk to use stored up energy, so you can rest more easily at the end of the day.

• Disconnect from electronic devices an hour before bed to give your brain time to wind down and prepare for a restful night’s sleep. Scroll through social media one last time, set your alarm, and put your phone where you won’t be tempted to check it once in bed.

Give Your Brain a Break

Find time each day to give your brain a break from homework, studying and prepping for exams. Use the week to do mindless activities that allow you to recharge and disconnect from the classroom. Cozy up with a good book (preferably not a textbook!), chat with friends and family, schedule a digital detox, do a creative hobby that brings you joy, exercise, or eat your favorite comfort food while you watch a new show! Do whatever allows you to tune out day-to-day stresses and allow your brain time to recuperate.

Reconnect with Loved Ones

When school is in session, it can be tough to stick to plans with friends and family or be fully present when all you can think about is homework or an exam. Spend Spring Break with those who make you laugh and bring you much needed comfort and fun. Go out to lunch, adventure around town, grab coffee, or just stay in and catch up! Reconnecting with loved ones lowers blood pressure, stress level, and has a positive effect on our mental health. Text your social support network today and get those plans set for Spring Break!

Have Fun!

Spring Break can be more than just a time to rest… it can be a time for fun! Take a trip, long-distance or in your local community, and find a new place to explore. Plan and find all the hot spots and a few lesser-known gems to check out. Bring a friend along for company or meet new friends on your journey! Travel isn’t the only way to make Spring Break fun though, you can also enjoy spending time doing your favorite activities or trying something new that you have always wanted to try. Be adventurous, open-minded, or find joy in your favorite things…just be sure to make it fun!

Set Goals

When Spring Break begins to wind down, a good way to get back into a productive mindset is to set goals for the remainder of the semester! Write down 3 major goals you want to accomplish in the coming weeks. These can be large goals that pose a challenge, or micro goals that are a little easier to check off. For example, you might want to get A’s in all of your courses to reach that 4.00 average! Or you might set a goal to study at least 3 times per week in one-hour sessions. No goal is too big or too small — set goals that work best for you.

All of us here at OCC hope you have a great Spring Break!