Wellness Practices for Spring Break

PC: Freepik

As winter comes to a close in the Bay Area, rainy March sees its students to their first respite from school: Spring Break. Exhausted from early mornings, midterms, performances and winter sports, students need to wring every ounce of sleep, peace and relaxation they can get from their week off – here’s how.

First, get work out of the way. Don’t spend the whole break studying, but try to finish any small assignments or review for a little bit at the beginning of the week. Organize your backpack, clean out your folders and make a short plan for when you come back. Keep it simple and don’t overdo it. Getting a few things done early will help you relax without stress hanging over you.

Next, get outside. You don’t need big plans or expensive trips; just go on walks around your neighborhood, visit a local trail or spend time somewhere with a nice view. Even just sitting outside with friends can make a difference. Fresh air and sunlight help your mood and energy more than you think; nature is a simple way to reset your mind.

It’s also important to spend time doing activities or picking up hobbies. This can be anything that interests or calms you: reading novels, baking something new, crocheting, drawing, journaling, or playing board games with family and friends. Engaging yourself in activities helps your body and mind relax  unlike scrolling, which neither relaxes nor meaningfully engages you. When you fill your time with things you genuinely enjoy, break feels like real rest.

Finally, focus on basic wellness. It’s crucial to get enough sleep, even if it means waking up a little later than usual. Start your mornings calmly and end your nights without too much screen time. A simple nighttime routine like dimming the lights or listening to music can help you feel more rested.

Spring Break doesn’t have to be busy to be good. Sometimes the best breaks are the quiet ones that leave you feeling fulfilled and ready to start again.