Rest, Relax, and Rejuvenate During Spring Break
For being only four letters long, ‘rest’ is a pretty big word. Especially for college students. I’ve noticed myself, my friends, and my classmates, struggling with the concept of ‘resting’. So this Spring Break, I’ve decided to redefine what the term means to me.
In the past, I’ve thought of resting as a stationary action. I’ve always perceived it as watching TV, taking a nap, or playing a slow, relaxing video game like Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley. Usually, I’d only have time for a task like that after finishing every item on my to-do list, which, since starting college three years ago, has become an ever-growing, task-riddled beast.
That to-do list monster often grows so large that I can’t escape it even during periods of time that are designed for rest. When I’m not doing classwork, I’m working on internship applications, looking for opportunities around campus, and doing my best to navigate ASU’s massive network to make professional connections. At the same time, I’m trying to balance a healthy social life and give myself the chance to spend time with my friends and family.
And I want to be clear: I love my major and the work I do through it. I’m often excited to fill out these applications and explore the possibilities that ASU has in store for me. And I’m definitely excited to spend time with the people in my life I care the most about, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t still tiring to have my entire day scheduled.
When I still perceived rest as a stationary action like sleeping, I pushed it to a lower priority. Something that was necessary for me to do at the end of the day after everything on my to-do list was finished, whether that was classwork, homework, or even hanging out with friends.
Sleep is essential, yes, and it does count as rest. But doing the little things for yourself is just as important. In college, we’re often so focused on the hustle of classes, the need to take every chance we get, that we neglect our minds and bodies, depriving them of the rest that they need and deserve. Even over break, this culture of constant achievement can sweep us up and keep us awake for far longer than necessary.
Resting isn’t just a break that you give your body when you pass out at three in the morning because you had an essay due that night. It’s giving yourself time to focus on a situation that is completely free of stress.
For me, resting came in the form of creative outlets that I hadn’t entertained since my freshman year of high school. I began to draw and listen to music in between my classes to give my brain a break before I forced it to listen and take in another long class of very important information. Instead of scheduling activities with my friends that required planning and execution, I would invite them over to do nothing more complicated than to cook dinner with me and enjoy the food and each other’s company. Or, instead of watching a series by myself, I watch it with my friends, giving everyone a stress-free environment to socialize and rest in.
It took the same time and effort that any new healthy habit takes, but it was worth it. I have something that I look forward to every day of the week now, regardless of what my schedule looks like.
It also means that when smaller breaks like Spring Break occur, you’re more prepared to get a better, more fulfilling rest.
Give yourself time for sleep, and for the activities that invigorate you without adding to your scheduled stress of the day. Try swimming, journaling, playing video games or baking; give yourself the environment to relax over break and set yourself up for success when the semester begins again.
By Claire van Doren,
Junior, English Literature and Journalism