By: Caroline Tierney
If you’re anything like me, you look forward to catching your breath during winter break… until a week in when the cold takes your breath for you! The fall semester always flies by, and I find myself eagerly awaiting winter break every year. However, a week or two in, I often find myself bored, perhaps a little lonely, and overall less satisfied. This makes sense considering we go from constant socialization in classes five days a week and hanging out with peers on the weekends, to moving back home with families or even staying in Amherst by yourself. Winter break is a quick, yet subtle change that most of us gloss over. A few things I have learned in my past three winter breaks that have gotten me through are listed below.
Sounds silly but, get sunshine everyday. Better yet, get it right when you wake up. It can be difficult enough to get out of bed and grab breakfast in the kitchen, let alone put on a coat and gloves and go outside. However, I have found that by taking a step outside and breathing in some cold air starts my day off right.
Pick up a new hobby. I recently purchased a harmonica, and plan to become a “harmonimaster” by February 1. Whatever your harmonica is, pick up an old hobby, find a new one, or better yet try something new with a friend!
Routine. Routine. Routine. Going back home for winter break can make it easy to lose all sense of routine. But maintaining some form of routine will keep you happier and you’ll probably feel more accomplished. Whether it is waking up at 9 AM Monday to Friday and doing a few yoga poses or stretches in bed, or going to bed every night at 11 PM, you’ll thank yourself for holding some level of discipline when it comes to routine.
Keep exercising. Again, this one is tough. When it feels like there is only sun from 9 AM to 4:00 PM everyday, there is little motivation to get moving. Whether it’s a walk, inside yoga routine, low impact workout, spin class, etc, you’ll never regret moving your body.
Disconnect. While our phones and watching TV/movies are great short term distractions, they only fill a void for a limited amount of time. When you get the urge to reach for your phone to scroll on social media, channel that energy into reaching for something new. While this is a difficult habit to break, and requires conscious effort, you will train yourself to reach for more fulfilling ways of passing time.
Cook good food. Lean into your body’s desire to eat warm, comforting food all winter. Make those tomato soups and grilled cheeses, make those pots of chili, eat homemade mac and cheese, bake those holiday cookies. This is something that I personally do because I find creativity in the food I make. The winter is an excuse to enjoy carb heavy, cheesy, warm, comforting meals.
Remember to be kind to yourself, and lean into the changes as they come!