Now that we’re on the tail-end of the Winter break and preparing for New Year’s Eve, the only thing filling most students’ minds right now is nothing but rest and relaxation. Given just how difficult it was to switch from face-to-face classes and going fully asynchronous with most online lectures, it’s safe to say that this break is well-deserved and long overdue.
However, with all this time spent cooped up at home and crunching hours in the same room, we try our best to sleep; it’s a bit of an understatement to say that our bodies are confused and can’t tell the difference between work-time or rest-time. So, to capitalize on this much-needed opportunity to de-stress over the winter break, we’ll be going over the best methods of reconnecting with self-love.
Flipping the Switch Is Difficult
Like we’ve established, flipping the switch from 100% output to giving yourself a break isn’t easy, but just because online classes have introduced this hurdle doesn’t mean we can’t overcome it. Now, we don’t expect these methods to work for everyone as we’ve all got our preferences when it comes to unwinding, but these tips are sure to give you a good starting point for all other ideas to come to mind.
#1 Give Your Room a Deep Clean
Number one on this list is the age-old method of giving your room a deep clean. There’s nothing more therapeutic than cleaning out your bedroom, taking out the trash, and giving yourself fresh sheets to sleep in. Plus, you can also take this chance to give it a brand-new look by adding new posters, rearranging furniture, or maybe introducing a bit of renovation work.
However, if cleaning isn’t up your alley, then this may have the opposite effect and end up feeling like a chore instead. Although, you might still want to consider cleaning up because sifting through a disorganized and messy room created over the Winter break isn’t something you want to be doing when online classes start again.
#2 Get out of the House for a Bit
There’s only so much you can do at home, and no matter how resourceful you get with all the things you have lying around, everybody needs a chance to get out of the house for a bit and breathe in some fresh air. Of course, avoid any densely populated areas to avoid any contact as much as possible, so stick to less common scenic views where you can relax and embrace the Winter season.
However, do check with your local social distancing guidelines and ensure that you wear the appropriate face mask and shield whenever you decide to go outside. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with outside activities, you’ll want to be responsible for your health and that of the people around you as well.
#3 Introduce a Bit of Creativity
Number three on this list is introducing a bit of creativity, and if you’ve been binging assessments, exams, and homework for the past three months or so, it’s high time for a change of pace! You can look for a music school online. Go look up an online course and consider enrolling yourself for some weekend music lessons. Or if you prefer drawing or sketching, look for digital art lessons.
If you’re lucky, you’ll have at least two weekends to get into the groove of things, and it won’t be hard to integrate these fun activities into your schedule. Also, you end up gaining a new talent and skill along the way, a self-investment that will never leave you no matter where you go in life.
#4 Check up on Friends
Last but not least, if you’ve been too busy with online classes to meet up with your buddies, now’s the perfect chance for you to check up on your friends and see how they’re doing. Set up an online zoom get-together and maybe even consider watching a movie marathon as one person sets up a stream on their Discord server.
Honestly, the sky’s the limit when it comes to checking up on your friends and what you guys decide to do is your choice entirely. Plus, it feels nice knowing someone’s checking on them, and it’s a great way to make someone’s Winter break feel much better.
Make the Most out of Online Classes
Overall, while we emphasize the importance of education and adjusting to the norm of online classes, students should never forget about themselves in the process. The effectiveness of online classes is only as good if the students get to live fulfilling and well-balanced lives, so take it from us and make the most of your everyday schedule starting now!
