Finals week is a tough time for students, and we often forget to take time out of our busy day to do something for ourselves.
Here are five tips from a college senior on taking a break:
1. Read this blog post.
It might be a complete waste of time, or it might help a bunch. I am 100% procrastinating on all of my work by writing this, but that's ok. I'm taking a break!
2. Eat.
Don't skip your meals. Scheduling your meal times is a great way of taking intentional breaks for something important. Your need to study will never be more important than your need to take care of your body. Your brain relies on sustenance to keep you healthy and alert. You'll find yourself better focused when your stomach is full.
It also helps to schedule in snack breaks. I have a habit of getting up every 5 seconds out of boredom to find food. Scheduling snack breaks helps me be more mindful of when I'm looking for food out of hunger versus boredom. Of course, if you're hungry, please feed yourself. But this is a great way of taking more intentional breaks.
Oh, and don't forget to drink plenty of water!
3. Get up and move around.
Whether it is working out or just dancing around your room to some tunes, get active!
Physical activity is a great way to fuel your mind, body, and soul. It doesn't have to be for very long. Just get your blood flowing. If you cannot or would prefer not to exercise, here are some simple ways you can get active and/or get some fresh air:
Stretch! You're probably all cramped up from working non-stop.
Release the tension from your head, moving slowly down to your toes. If anyone knows what this practice is called, comment down below!
Take a stroll around the block. If you can't leave your house/room, walk up and down the stairs one or two times. Try doing a cartwheel or some egg roles on the living room floor. If your roommate catches you, tell them to try it too. Maybe it'll give you both a laugh.
Turn on some music and do your little dance-y dance. If you can't dance, that's ok! No one is watching. Just do the chicken dance or something. Bop for a few seconds. Practice some moves for when you're at the club. It'll feel purposeful.
If you're studying on campus, stroll around the building for a few minutes. See if you can spot something new, like an office or a poster. Count how many steps take you from one floor to the next or how many seconds it takes the elevator doors to open all the way.
Just step outside and breathe for a second. Or look out the window if you can't. It helps to do a sensory activity to take your mind off of your work for a moment. Count 5 things you see. 4 things you hear. 3 things you feel. 2 things you smell. 1 thing you taste. You can change up the order based on your surroundings.
Order food. If you're always hungry like me, then you know ordering food is a great way to take a break. If you order pickup, you have to pause and go get it. If you order delivery, you still have to run downstairs to get it from the driver. And you get food. Win-win.
4. Dedicate ten minutes of your day to something that brings you joy or peace.
This can be at the beginning of your day, in between your study schedule, or at the end of your day.
During my sophomore year of college, I started waking up ten minutes earlier than I normally do. I would set a timer for ten minutes, toss my phone across the room, and grab a book off my shelf. Reading is a peaceful way to start your day, and it is a great way to practice staying off electronics first thing in the morning. I usually got out of bed feeling more awake and ready to go.
You can do this any time throughout the day, though. I used to end my day with reading during my freshman year, and it helped me fall asleep stress-free.
Some other things you can do during the day include:
listening to some music
reading a book / magazine / blog post
watching a Ted Talk / YouTube video
making a TikTok or other social media post
journaling / writing
making some art
a skincare routine
watching an episode of your favorite show
choosing your outfit for the next day
... and so much more!
Let me know what brings you joy in the comments!
5. Find something to look forward to.
Schedule in something that you can be excited for throughout the week. Last Wednesday, I treated myself with a little movie night after my exam. I decided at the beginning of the week that even though I have assignments due on Thursday and Friday, I needed that time on Wednesday evening to just relax. It kept me from burning out or feeling overwhelmed.
Once you get to that moment in time, you get to choose what you do with it. I didn't end up watching a movie. Instead, I watched 'New Girl' while folding my laundry. I didn't do it to be productive. I did it because it brought me peace and made the rest of my week feel a little easier. I could just as well have left the laundry and only watched Netflix. That is my time to do what I want to do, and I don't have to feel guilty for how I decided to use it.
It doesn't have to be at the middle or end of your week. Sometimes you need something to get you through your Monday! One of my favorite public figures Hasan Minhaj came to our campus for a Q & A on Monday evening, and I had the opportunity of attending his event with one of my friends. Making this my thing to look forward to got me through my weekend workload, and it helped me start the week on a good note.
If you don't have something to look forward to, plan it!
Buy yourself a movie ticket or go watch a show at your local theater. If there's no one to go with, go alone! Be safe and make sure someone knows where you are.
Explore a museum or art gallery. Or a new part of campus.
Attend an event around campus or in your local community. There are so many things happening all around town, especially during the holidays. Look it up!
Go to your favorite restaurant. Usually, I would advise trying a new one, but it's easier to be excited for something you already associate with positive memories.
Watch the sunset from a lakefront instead of your bedroom window. Make it a picnic - my roommate and I ordered pizza and enjoyed the view.
Go shopping. I know some of you love retail therapy. Make it an event.
Cook a special meal. I don't cook very often while on campus, but my roommate does. My thing to look forward to is cooking, and hers is making something that she ordinarily wouldn't.
There are so many things to look forward to. If you can't think of one, make something up. Perks of being an adult is choosing how we spend every moment of this crazy little life of ours. Finally...
Don't feel guilty about taking a break.
To my friends who struggle with motivation and productivity, you still deserve a break. My struggle with mental health comes with many moments in which I feel guilty for giving time to myself. Sometimes that time isn't meant to take us away from the work, but rather to give us time to ourselves.
You will be ok if you step away for five to ten minutes. Taking care of yourself is paramount. Giving yourself joy keeps you healthy.
There may be ten million things that you have to do, but you matter too.
Take some time for yourself today.
Comentarios