'Tis the season for self-care & recharging!

The Winter Holidays are here! ❄️Yet with looming deadlines piling up, screen time creeping higher & a brain that won't switch off, this break can feel less like a rejuvenating reset and more like a wasted blur. Like countless others, if you're feeling burnout, this is your sign to pause, rest & unwrap some well-deserved peace. 

From 5-minute mindfulness to low-pressure ways of recharging offline, here are some self-care ideas to help you feel calmer, well-rested and ready for the new year ahead. 🌟

1. Resting - without guilt! 🛁

First and foremost, this should be a given. Before anything else, give yourself permission to rest. Burnout isn't something you can power through; rest isn't a reward you can only earn after being productive.

Whether it's sleeping in, having a free afternoon, taking a couple days away from revision, intentional rest helps your mind and body rest. Without this, how can you truly recharge? After all, taking an initial, intentional break to tackle the holidays at 100% is much more sustainable, & effective than consistently operating at 50%, in the name of guilt and endless productivity. 

In an academically rigorous environment, letting go of guilt from taking time away can be very hard, but it can be most healing. 🌸 Sometimes, doing less is exactly what helps you to return, energised and motivated! 

2. Mindfulness🧘🪷

When everything feels overwhelming and exhausting, I find that mindfulness is a great way of gently decluttering my mind. 💆In a world of constant notifications, dopamine hits and doom-scrolling (let's be honest, it's really hard to avoid), taking a few minutes to pause feels more important than ever. 

Even just 5 minutes of meditation a day has helped me feel calmer and more grounded. With each session, I can feel my both own improvement and a more peaceful mind!

Apps like Headspace make it easy to start. You can start with their YouTube videos or take advantage of their full collection (focus music, meditation, sleep sessions and more!) through their great annual student discount - I myself have purchased it for £7.99! 🎶

There's a plethora of other, free resources too, e.g. on Podcasts or YouTube; great for finding what best aligns with your lifestyle and preferences.

Not a fan of meditation? Journaling can be just as powerful, and equally low-maintenance. Putting your thoughts on paper is a restorative way to check in with yourself, calm anxiety, express gratitude and reset, no silence required! Here is a link for some prompts to get this soothing habit started . . . 🖊️✒️

3. Decluttering Your Space 🧹🧼

A tidy space can make a more impactful difference than you might think. Backed up by the Harvard Business Review, clearing out your room (Vinted beckons), or even your desk, feels like a fresh start and boosts cognitive function. This is really key for putting yourself in the best position possible to either consolidate last term, or prepare for upcoming exams! 

When your space feels calmer and more organised, it's easier to focus, think clearly & start the new term feeling prepared & well-rested, instead of overwhelmed. 

4. Swapping screen-time for a new hobby! 🎨🚵🍳  

Constant screen time (we've all doom-scrolled before), can leave us feeling more drained and guilty than ever. Try swapping some of that time for a non-screen hobby, new or one to re-visit: cooking, baking, reading, playing music, art, or exercise. These activities help you slow down, feel more present and reconnect with yourself offline; even better, they can be shared!

For me, indulging in these hobbies always brings me more of a sense of accomplishment, and time well-spent. 

Even decluttering your phone by clearing out apps, turning off notifications & limiting screen-time can create space for habits that actually recharge you. 

Personally, I use Opal for this! 

5. Physical Activity 🏃‍♀️🏊‍♀️& Changing Your Scenery 👣🚲

It's true, cold days and overcast ☁️ skies aren't inviting, nor scream motivation, but gentle movement, and an outside interlude can do wonders for your mood. This doesn't have to mean intense gym workouts: a short walk to explore your local area, stretching, dancing and a room-workout all count! 

Moving your body helps release stress through endorphins, boosts energy⚡, memory retention & gives your brain a much-needed break from overthinking. 

Also, a change of environment is surprisingly refreshing. Whether it's exploring a new café, taking a walk around your local area or somewhere completely new, getting out of your usual routine can help clear your head. 

Libraries are also a great option, 📖 these calm and clear spaces make studying feel less overwhelming, instead more focused & intentional. 

6. Breaking Down Tasks ✍️💻 

When your mental to-do list is feeling too much, putting it onto paper & breaking such tasks into smaller steps has made a huge difference for me. Instead of tackling an entire topic or starting a whole essay, starting with one manageable task. 📝E.g. 10 minutes of reading, one question in a problem set, or reviewing one page of notes!

From my own experience, this helps me initiate a positive-reinforcement cycle of productivity, where the wins pile up! 💫

Progress doesn't always have to be big and meaningful. 🪜 Small steps add up, are satisfying to tick off, and are far less intimidating to tackle than trying to untangle a colossal mental to-do list. 

Here's a link to the app I use, Microsoft To-Do, also available on other stores: 

7. Making Time for Loved Ones 💬💛🍽️

Last, but by no means least, catching up with friends or spending time with family in any way possible, can be incredibly soothing during busy periods.  Particularly if it's been a while!

From a long chat, a shared meal, a quick walk or your go-to activity together, quality time reminds us that we're not alone. 💛 These moments of connection can be just as restorative as the rest - sometimes even more so! 

Burnout looks different for everyone, so let self-care be tailored to you! It does not have to be complicated at all, just incorporate whatever feels right and works well with your routine! 🪻🌻 Be kind to yourself this holiday; slowing down now might be exactly what helps you to progress into next term, feeling calmer, rejuvenated & fully recharged.