Winter break is a well-deserved time to rest for Washington High School students, after a semester of school and a week’s worth of finals, it may feel like you want to sleep the time away.  However, when the boredom hits after a few days off you may be looking for things to do during the time off.

Deep clean your space-

Cleaning may feel like the last thing we want to do after a stressful week, however, cleaning, organizing, and decluttering one’s space can set them up for a successful last semester. 

“When there is order and structure to our outer environment, it can help us feel more able to manage some of the internal feeling states and worlds,” Doctor of Mental Health, Danielle Roeske said. 

For seniors this can be an especially important task, organizing all belongings to prepare for what they may need or want going into college.

Spend time with loved ones-

The holidays are the perfect time to be with loved ones, use the time off to see relatives, get coffee with friends, or spend well-deserved time with the people closest to us. (change sounds weird)

“People who had more social interactions were happier on average than those who interacted less. People also felt happier and more socially connected when they spoke to others in the past hour, compared to when they did not.”  A study done by Psychology Today said.

Using the free time to interact with loved ones not only makes relationships stronger, it also benefits mental health and increases happiness. 

Get outside-

Even with the cold temperatures spending time outside is important for both mental and physical health, time outdoors can increase vitamin D, improve mood, and increase physical activity.

“Time in the outdoors offers the benefit of mental rest and rejuvenation, it has been shown to improve memory, attention, impulse control, and creativity…” Mass General Brigham’s website said.

To make the weather more bearable spend time outdoors having fun, going to an outdoor ice-skating rink, bundling up to go on a hike or going on a walk with friends.

Spending this break doing something beneficial can set students up for a great rest of the year by doing productive activities.  Regardless of what students do over break enjoy the time away from school and with loved ones, and enjoy the holidays.