As winter break approaches, students at ACC have a well earned opportunity to step back from their hectic academic schedules and focus on personal well being. While the temptation to binge watch Netflix or scroll endlessly on social media might be strong, winter break offers the perfect chance to prioritize activities that boost health and rejuvenate the mind.
A quick google search shows that schools started doing academic breaks for a multitude of reasons. The majority stems from reasons surrounding religion and family. However, they all eventually evolved into a way for students just to enjoy some time off from school. Summer break first started as an opportunity for farm kids to help out their families during the harvest but evolved into a way for students to rest after a year of school. Winter break surrounds more religious reasons but it also evolved into a way for students to find time to rest after the first semester.
Two key ways to maximize the benefits of this time off are focusing on sleep and taking time to travel.
College students often sacrifice sleep to meet deadlines, cram for exams, or juggle jobs and familial responsibilities. Studies have shown that insufficient sleep negatively impacts memory, focus, and overall mental health. During winter break ACC students can use this time to reset their sleep schedules and embrace the restorative power of a good night’s sleep.
The recommendation? Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night. Create a bedtime routine, avoid screens before bed, and try to wake up at the same time every morning. By prioritizing sleep, students can improve their cognitive function, boost their immune systems, and return to campus refreshed for the spring semester.
The breaks also helps with reducing the stress that comes from throughout the semester. Without even noticing, many students partake in a variety of coping strategies over winter break that helps reduce stress so they are ready for the next semester. One of the types of coping strategies are emotion focused coping, which focuses on helping the person feel better and distract themselves from the stress. Many different winter activities fall under this, improving students’ mood and stress levels over the course of the break by taking their minds off of the stress of school. Even the simple things in life can help.
The winter is also a time for winter activities that many people partake in whether it is just for fun or a sport that people will do for a competitive event. Some of these winter sports include hockey, skiing, figure skating, snowboarding, sledding, snowshoeing, ice fishing and more. Many of these activities require you to shop for items that will allow you to participate in these many types of winter activities, some of these stores include REI, Pure Hockey, L.L Bean, and Dick’s Sporting Goods where you can prepare for the holidays and cold winter activities.
Another way to spend winter break is by traveling, even if it’s just exploring local destinations in Colorado. Travel has been shown to reduce stress, enhance creativity, and improve overall well-being. For ACC students, Colorado offers countless opportunities for nearby adventures. Whether it’s skiing in Breckenridge, hiking in the foothills, or visiting historic towns like Golden or Estes Park, get outside and explore!
For those unable to travel far, even a change of scenery, like visiting a nearby museum or walking a new trail, can provide the same benefits.
Sherry Hunter, a staff member at ACC said when asked about travel, “I would go to Fiji, (I) always wanted to go to Fiji.”
Of course, winter break is also a time for relaxation and reflection, and of course spending time with family.
Dan Wienicke, an admin at ACC said, “We’re hosting my parents for Christmas for a couple days, keeping the kids at home because they’re out of school, and couple days after Christmas, going to Colorado Springs to watch a marionette show”
By focusing on sleep and travel, ACC students can make the most of their winter break. Not only will these activities provide immediate health benefits, but they’ll also help set the tone for a successful and productive spring semester. So, whether it’s catching up on sleep, hitting the slopes, or exploring Colorado’s natural beauty, winter break is the perfect time to recharge and take care of yourself.
