Spring Break begins this weekend: an exciting time full of opportunity, adventure, and rest. But when planning out our breaks, it’s all too easy to do so in a way that either cuts our own opportunities for relaxation short, or that sets us up for challenges during the rest of the semester. So how do we make sure that time off is time well-used? Today’s article contains some helpful dos and don’ts for having a balanced Spring Break.
Do Take Time Off
Spring Break is a break for a reason. It’s a time to rest and recharge before the second half of the semester. So make sure to actually take some time off, rather than treating it as just another workweek. Instead, reengage with those hobbies you might’ve been putting off, get some time in the outdoors, have fun with friends or family, and take some time to step away from your task list. Then, when you return to the semester workload, you’ll be rested and rejuvenated for the final stretch towards the finish.
Don’t Leave Work Mode Completely
This may seem antithetical, given my last point. However, while it’s important to actually take time off, you’ll want to make sure that you don’t disengage from your work routines completely. Doing so can make it more difficult to reenter the semester when you return from vacation, because your brain will have turned on to the longer-form resting mode it’s accustomed to experiencing over more sizeable breaks like Christmas and Summer. So, consider taking a lighter form of your usual routine. And whatever the balance you choose – whether you work for a day or two, or you plan to work only mornings, or you’ll do a couple hours of light tasks every afternoon – be sure to keep yourself from leaving work mode completely, so that you’re ready to go the next week.
Do See Other People
When you’ve been really pushing for the first half of the semester, and you’re already beginning to feel a bit burned out, it’s really easy to simply crash over the break, make no plans, and rest at home every day. Now, staying at home over the break rather than making extensive plans isn’t necessarily a bad thing; in fact, taking some detox time at home can be incredibly beneficial. However, make sure that you balance this with reconnecting with friends or family as well. It’s important to remain engaged in the communities around you, as this is just as important for your well-being as taking a physical break.
Don’t Burn Yourself Out
Social outings, trip plans, visiting family: these are all things that we make plans for over Spring Break. And they’re all good things to plan and make room for in your schedule. However, we’ve all been on that vacation where, upon getting home again, another vacation was needed to recover from all the energy we spent doing stuff. It’s great to have plans and take time for yourself and have fun experiences and reconnect with the important people in your life, but don’t overbook yourself. Remember, you’ll be going back into the semester the next week, and you won’t want to do so while even more tired out than you already were. Balance out intentional planning with intentional rest and be sure to get the best of both worlds.
Space
Spring Break is a time for rest, rejuvenation, and reconnection. And depending on who you are, what that looks like can be very different from the next person. However, what remains the same is the need for a thoughtful approach to the use of our time. So, make sure to consider the management of your time in a balanced way, so that you’re able have both a great vacation now, and a great rest of the semester.