After weeks of rushing from one responsibility to the next, along with long hours cooped up in the library, Christmas break feels like a warm blanket. One moment you’re counting down deadlines and surviving on caffeine, and the next you’re closing your laptop for the last time with a huge sigh of relief.

Christmas break brings you a chance to breathe without watching the clock. This break is an opportunity to recharge your mind and body before next semester.

After months of constant stress and work, you need to give yourself some time to rest. To be a little whimsical perhaps. Recharging over Christmas doesn’t require huge plans and specific habits you “must” do, it only requires joy and rest – Which is just as important as hard work.

Here are some ways to make the most of your break.

Spend time on hobbies you love

Termtime often leaves little room for the things that bring you joy, especially by the end of the semester. Christmas break is the perfect time to reconnect with them. Whether it’s drawing, baking, or playing video games, let yourself get lost in something just for fun. Hobbies recharge your mind and remind you of who you are beyond academic work. I usually enjoy having some background music like Clairo or Frank Sinatra, whilst I focus on sketching. Sometimes I like to go on short runs, hoping that it would start to snow when I do.

Pull away from your screen

Scrolling endlessly on social media may feel like relaxing, when it’s often the complete opposite as it leaves you feeling drained. Perhaps try setting boundaries to limit the hours you spend on your phone. Journalling is a good way to let your mind wander just before you head to sleep. Now that I’m home, my sister and I bake family recipes. It’s a bonding experience that is full of laughter, taking us away from our phones for a few hours.

Read!

Books are the best way to escape the world we live in today, hence reading during the break can be both productive and restful. Pick something purely for pleasure, sometimes I read books that I read during my pre-teen and teenage years simply because of how much joy they bring me. This includes Percy Jackson books, and any books by John Green. Reading gives your mind a break from the constant stress endured in the last couple of weeks.

Connect with the people you love

Christmas is magical all due to spending time with loved ones. Spend time with family, friends, or anyone you consider special in your heart. Have long conversations, play card games, make meals together. These simple moments
nurture your heart and remind you that connection is too a form of rest. Meeting up with your friends at a café or even a walk through the park with your family or dog can help your mind rest and recharge. I particularly like to visit art galleries and museums with my friends whenever I’m back home, it’s fun and relaxing.

Prioritise your sleep

Sleep is what many students struggle with during the last weeks of the semester, so prioritising sleep during the break is important. Try to keep a consistent sleep schedule, but allow yourself to sleep in when needed. Skipping sleep in order to cram or stay “productive” only causes you to be more exhausted. Let your body rest, try to drink chamomile or lemon balm tea, they are known for helping with sleepiness and reduce anxiety too.

Image credit: Olivia Michalowska