Good and bad habits for winter break

I wanted to focus this week on how to develop a plan for avoiding team conflict, but felt that with winter break coming up that it would be prudent to talk about self-care for the coming break. I have mentioned self-care previously this year, and I come back to it because winter break is an important aspect of self-care for many students. Often students work non-stop through out the year and only get to relax during winter and summer breaks. Unfortunately, students also have a tendency to try to fit in all the visiting family and friends and having fun into these times. Although it is important to have an opportunity to visit or get a visit from loved ones, it is also important to know your own needs and plan accordingly.

It is very likely that you will have some homework over the break. In addition, you will want to touch base with people you have not seen for a while and you may want to get caught up on the latest movies and catch up on games, books, or sleep that you have not had the time to attend to during the quarter.

Trying to fit all of these things into a two week period of time can be an extremely difficult task, and if you try, you may run the risk of coming back to school with less energy you had then when you left. In order to offer some help with this, I would like to provide some self care tips that I hope will help you have a relaxing and rewarding break.

First, although you may be tempted to go to bed very late and sleep in, it is important to remember that good sleep health is important to good academic work. Try to maintain a sleep schedule that does not vary too much from you schedule here, unless of course you are up until dawn writing papers all the time. In this case, try to get on a sleep schedule that allows you to catch up on sleep you may have lost staying up until dawn. Secondly, remember that it is okay to say ‘no’. Being with friends and family may tempt you to want to go everywhere and do everything, but this may not be a possibility and taking care of yourself and having some time to relax is very important. You may feel that going to see everyone is relaxing, but if you are struggling to fit things in, then it will only cause you more anxiety and stress. Finally, take some time for yourself. Having friends and roommates available at all hours can be a wonderful thing, but so is having some time to just be by yourself and enjoying your own company. Taking some time to get reacquainted with you can help you and understanding your needs can help you get back in touch with them.

I hope you all have a safe and happy winter break.

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or disorder. Nor is it intended to replace a consultation with a mental health provider.