School’s out! Now it’s time to focus on rest and recovery over winter break

Whew! Classes are over. Finals are complete. Now take a moment and just breathe.

Breathe in for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5… And breathe out for 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.

You worked hard this semester, and you’ve earned a well-deserved break. But sometimes after a hectic or stressful period of life, like finals, it can be hard to calm a busy mind and truly enjoy downtime.

But don’t worry. These tips and resources will help you take advantage of your winter break to rest, recover and mentally prepare for a successful Spring semester.

Dedicate some time to self-care before you return to campus. Take a walk around your neighborhood or try a new class at the gym. Read a book purely for enjoyment. Cook a meal with a family member or friend. Practice mindfulness by writing out a gratitude list or a self-reflection on the Fall semester. Listen to a guided meditation session online. Self-care can look different for different people. The important thing is that you try your best to clear your mind and be present in the moment. Take a look at this list of self-care ideas provided by Student Health and Wellness (SHW) if you need some inspiration.

Be kind to your mind. SHW offers a variety of mental wellness resources, which are covered by the health fee and available to students at no additional cost. Looking for a listening ear? Try Togetherall, a safe, online, peer-to-peer support community available 24/7, 365 days a year. Want to speak with a counselor or therapist? Through Bettermynd, students have access to fully online counseling conducted by licensed mental health professionals. Counseling and Psychological Services also offers “CAPS Talks,” a YouTube series covering topics like motivation, handling panic, talking to your parents about mental health and more. View SHW’s full list of mental wellness resources online.

Join a cause that you find meaningful. For example, gather a group of your friends to participate in FIU’s Out of the Darkness Walk, which raises awareness for suicide prevention, or FIU’s Relay for Life, which raises money for cancer research. Having fun with friends while supporting a good cause is a win-win! Find these opportunities and more in your Panther Connect portal.

We’ll see you in January, Panthers!