3 things everyone should do over fall break

The end of the semester is fast-approaching, and it may feel challenging to relax over fall break.

However, finding the right balance between getting things done and taking care of yourself can help you avoid excess stress, reduce burnout and help you finish out the semester on solid footing.

Here are some tips and strategies that can help.

Actually take a break

You don’t have to finish your to-do list before you take a break. The truth is, you’ll likely never get through every task. There will always be something else to do tomorrow, next week or next semester. Give yourself permission to walk away and come back to it later.

Over break, give yourself unconditional permission to rest, recover, hang out and have fun. Make time for the people and things you love. If you’re unsure how you want to spend your time, consider jotting down ideas. This can include things like reading a book, going for walks, meeting up with friends, crafting or enjoying hobbies.

Don't tackle everything at once

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, even the simplest tasks can feel daunting. If this sounds familiar, try practicing ‘15-minute wins’ to see what you can get done in a smaller timeframe. You can use this technique for school and self-care.

Here’s how to get started:

Pick a single task, big or small. This can include things like cleaning out your inbox, applying for jobs, studying, getting physically active, packing for a trip, doing the dishes, finally returning that impulse Amazon purchase or anything else you can think of.

Start the clock. Set a timer for 15 minutes and focus on getting as much done as you can. This will give you enough time to make progress without feeling as overwhelmed or burdened by time commitments.

Allow for resistance. Oftentimes, when people feel resistance to a task, they stop, quit, procrastinate or distract themselves with other things (hello, social media). Focusing on 15-minute wins can allow you to feel discomfort for smaller intervals to help you incrementally develop a sense of grit—the ability to persevere through long-term goals.

Make it (more) fun. Turn tasks and deadlines into a game or competition. Can you complete something in less than 15 minutes? Can you complete a task in less time than it took you previously? Challenge yourself and try to have a bit of fun.

Change your narrative

You may not realize it, but you talk to yourself all the time, and the narrative you choose can play a critical role in helping or hindering you.

For instance, if you’re trying to work up the motivation to go for a walk or get a head start on studying, you may find yourself saying something like, “Ugh, I should really start this soon.” This type of self-talk can increase stress and create unnecessary pressure on yourself.

Instead, try to change your narrative to take a gentler approach. For example, you can tell yourself something like, “It would be such a kindness to my future self if I did this now so I don’t have to worry about it later when I’m feeling tired.”

Changing the way you speak to yourself can help you practice self-compassion, which can be especially beneficial when you’re trying to get through stressful situations or demanding tasks. Keep in mind that this isn’t a foolproof formula. Changing self-talk may take time, and it may not always spur you into action. However, it will help you be kinder to yourself in the process.

Resources

There are a variety of resources available over break to help you take care of yourself and feel better.

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