It could be that you are really excited about spring break, or it could be that our suggestions to "rest and rejuvenate" are actually adding to your stress. Gifted students, who generally like to exercise their brains, soak in new information, and challenge themselves, frequently struggle to turn off their thoughts and actually relax.
And the thing is, everyone's idea of what actually is relaxing is different. For instance, I like to read, or cook, or take a walk with a friend. My oldest daughter loves to be outside in nature, and my youngest daughter loves to take long baths and spend quality time with her cats. Each person's recharging technique is unique to them.
With that in mind, here are some tips on fun things you might consider doing (either on spring break or just on a random Saturday) to destress:
- Deep breathing
- Meditation (regular or guided; there are plenty of free apps for this)
- Go outside
- Listen to music, any music that helps you unwind. Bonus points if it makes you dance.
- Exercise. Any exercise is good; consider yoga for that extra mind/body balance.
- Take a hot bath. Add music and bubbles to your bath if necessary.
- Laugh (comedy specials, funny cat videos, a goofy movie)
- Organize
What? You don't understand what organizing has to do with relaxing? Think about it. How much of your regular daily life do you spend looking for things? How much homework have you lost? Where did your favorite pair of socks go?
Even an hour spent decluttering your backpack, closet, desk, or bedroom can help make your post-vacation weeks less stressful. If you spend an extra hour creating a system that keeps you more organized (think color coding, to-do lists, file folders, etc.), you will create even more breathing room for yourself when classes restart. This is a short-term project with long-term benefits, and spring break is a great time to tackle it.
- Try something new
Is there a craft, hobby, or activity you've always wanted try, but haven't had the chance? Would you like to learn to cook, knit, or play the guitar? Set aside the time to try something new. I like to cook to relax, but when I really want to give my mind a break I research recipes and create dishes from around the world. And YouTube and Instagram are great for teaching yourself a new skill. One of my daughters learned to crochet just by watching videos!
- Take a break from your digital devices
This one can be HARD! Set your phone, laptop, or tablet aside and find fun things to do that don't involve a screen. More and more studies show that digital devices add to stress for children, teens, and adults, so if you need to turn everything off, even if it's just for a few hours, do it. And then keep track of how you feel when you are slightly less connected. If not being attached to a device makes you itchy, restless, or irritable, you may need a longer detox. This may be a time to try the deep breathing, meditation, or yoga.
One thing you can do to stay off your device is play a board game, do a crossword puzzle, or a watch a movie with friends or family - and don't allow any phones during this activity. Make a game out of it - the first person to grab for their phone pays a penalty! You can play for candy, quarters, or bragging rights.
If you'd like more great ideas on "Stress Relief That Works," you can visit this article at the Huffington Post.
Now go! Have fun!
Until next time,
Ms. Nan
