Spring Break 2024: Not traveling? Embark on mental vacation

Spring break marks a pivotal point in the semester. With most midterms finishing the week before, students are finally granted the opportunity to relax and wind down. 

Even if you don't feel tired or overwhelmed, now is the perfect time to destress and regain the mental stability to become the best version of yourself. Consider taking these steps to help prevent possible burnout for the rest of the semester.

Put the phone down

Throughout the semester, students constantly have their faces buried in their devices, whether it be long nights typing up papers or endlessly scrolling on Canvas to find out what grade they got on their midterm. Dive into spring break with an ambitious goal: Limit your screen time. 

Yes, this sounds crazy and downright impossible to accomplish, but spending time away from technology will help you connect with your thoughts and the world around you. Pick a day this break to limit yourself to an hour of online activity. Then, see if you can repeat it.

If that sounds too difficult, then take smaller measures to chip away at your screen time.

Exercise

Being active is a great way to take your mind off academics and prioritize your well-being.  Whether it's inviting a friend for a leisurely walk in a park, going for a hike on a nearby trail or riding your bike around town, make an effort to take in some sun!

If you'd rather stay inside, you can always bust out a yoga mat and do some light stretches to boost your energy levels.

Rot in bed

Exercise is great … but you also deserve a break! After all the stress of the school year, take time to catch up on the sleep and TV you've missed. Having nothing on your mind but pointless entertainment can feel freeing in itself. 

Take this week to fix your sleep schedule — establish a consistent nighttime routine that you can rely on. So, if you want to spend your break getting under the covers and doing nothing, don't let anyone stop you!

Move into the kitchen

One of the major pluses of heading home for spring break is the food. Balanced, home-cooked meals are a nice change of pace after eating dining hall meals every day.

But this is also the perfect time to expand your palette — try new foods! Take advantage of the kitchen to practice recipes that you can take back with you to campus. Cooking in itself is an enjoyable activity that'll help lift your spirits.

Connect with people

When drowning in work, whether it be for school, an internship or a job, it's difficult to make time to see and connect with loved ones. Without the burden of academics, spring break is your chance to make up for the quality time you missed with your friends and family.

Plan as many activities as possible, like trying new food or going sightseeing, without worrying about deadlines and due dates. Who knows, you might meet some other college students enjoying their spring break while you're out.

Treat yourself

If you have money in the bank to splurge, don't hold out! Go to a spa and enjoy a facial or a massage. But if you're like most college students, you're probably strapped for cash. This doesn't mean you can't have your own spa day, albeit on a cheaper, smaller scale. 

Pick a quiet place, then set the mood with some calming music and lighting. Then, take a relaxing bath, or let the water get hot and enjoy your own shabby sauna.

Or, if you're on campus during spring break, you can let the professionals handle this for you — visit a sauna in one of the various recreation centers.

Get ahead of the game

While this may seem counterintuitive, getting a head start on your coursework can help you in the long run by making the rest of the semester feel like a breeze. 

If your professors release any work early, doing it over spring break will make all the difference. This will allow you to prioritize the workload for other classes when you return to classes. You'll also have more free time before finals start rolling in.

If none of your classes release work early, set realistic goals for yourself. Reflect on your priorities now to better understand them later.

With spring break kicking off, these tips and tricks will provide the needed "mental" vacation you deserve. Even if you have your own plans, prioritize your mental health over the next week.