This semester has been hectic and stressful, so going home for Break was a good decision for me. I needed a change from the constant responsibilities I have at school. It allowed me to get back on track for the rest of the semester and spend time with family. Here are some ways to maximize relaxation and recharge even after Spring Break is over.
The first thing I did on Spring Break was take a much-needed hiatus from social media. It was the perfect time to unplug because I didn’t need to be updated on events and things to do. It’s really tempting to spend lazy days scrolling through Instagram and Snapchat, but it won’t help you actually relax. If I had stayed glued to my phone, I would’ve been preoccupied with FOMO and thoughts of “Why didn’t I go somewhere cool for Spring Break?” If you’re feeling stressed at the end of this semester, it’s a good habit to take a much-needed break from social media and give yourself some downtime as I did over Spring Break.
I was also really excited to spend time with my family and loved ones. It’s hard to find the right days to go home during the semester, especially when you don’t live very close. When I have gone home on random weekends in the past, I can never seem to fully relax. I would be thinking about the work I could be doing and the work I have to do the next week instead of living in the moment. However, for times during the semester when you’re missing your family, FaceTime is a good way to catch up and see a loved one’s face. It’s a reminder that there are only a few more months until summer and more time spent with family.
One of my favorite parts about going home is realizing a newfound appreciation for where I grew up. This break, I enjoyed walking around my neighborhood, running errands and eating at my old favorite restaurants. It’s important to find joy in the little nuances of what feels like a past life at home in order to be fully content. I took my hometown for granted before I moved to Gainesville, and I didn’t know how much I loved it until I came back for the first time. Appreciating the differences between home and school makes me love both places so much more. Feeling homesick is one of the worst feelings during the semester, but filling your walls with photos from home or trying to recreate your favorite hometown dishes is a great way to make Gainesville feel a little bit more like home.
Spring Break was a great time to get healthy and cleanse yourself. It is hard to get a full night’s sleep at school sometimes. We stay up late completing assignments and hanging out with friends. I spent a lot of my free time sleeping and increasing my energy. With my extra time, I also want to cook yummy, healthy food and go to the gym regularly. When you’re back at school, think about meal prepping healthy meals and scheduling your time properly for gym visits. As for sleep, turning off your phone at night is a good way to ensure you’re completely disconnected and able to sleep.
Self-care and a little R&R is so vital in making it through the last half of this semester. It’s important to do your best to implement the same self-care techniques you did over Spring Break to allow for a healthy and happy finish to the year.
Molly Chepenik is a UF journalism sophomore. Her column appears on Wednesdays.
Photo by Alex D'Alessio on Unsplash
