The semester is finally over, and with all the work you’ve done this year, you’re ready for some well-deserved relaxation time. But let’s face it, after a few weeks of catching up with family and relishing home-cooked food, winter break turns into day after boring day of sitting at home watching Netflix. But who says break has to be dull and uneventful? Grab your ice skates and a bathing suit – we’ve got your go-to guide for fun and simple ways to keep yourself occupied over winter break.
1. Exercise outdoors
Sometimes it’s tempting to hide under the covers when cold weather hits. But exercising in the cold actually has some (pardon the pun) cool benefits. You burn more calories since your body is working harder to keep you warm, and it helps keep your mind sharp while relieving stress. It’s invigorating and energizing, and it helps to boost feel-good endorphins which elevate your mood and make you happier! So don’t let the cold keep you indoors this winter. Get outside and enjoy the extra benefits a cold weather workout has to offer. Or simply go outside and play in the snow for an hour. Just make sure to play it safe – wear lots of layers and watch out for ice.
2. Go to the movies
The movies are a fun, cozy place to go with friends or family over winter break. You can even get some popcorn to warm yourself up. Check out some great new releases this holiday break, like Frozen, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Not up for traveling all the way to the theater? Snuggle up with some blankets and hot chocolate and watch old Christmas classics at home!
3. Go shopping
Hitting the mall over winter break has lots of advantages. Not only can you go Christmas shopping for friends and family, but it also gives you an excuse to pick up some cute outfits to wear when you go back to school! Better yet, grab a few friends and make it a group shopping spree. Even if you don’t buy anything, you’ll still get to admire all the beautiful Christmas decorations at the mall.
4. Go hot tubbing
Short, chilly days and long dark nights giving you the blahs? Turn those blahs into “aaaahs!” by sinking neck deep in the bubbly warmth of a hot tub. Enjoy a peaceful, snow-covered landscape while relaxing in a hot-water haven. And the best part? You won’t feel chilly upon exiting because of increased skin temperature.
5. Bake holiday cookies
What’s one of the best parts about the holidays? All the food you get to eat! Spend a day baking festive holiday goodies, like cinnamon buns, cranberry scones, cappuccino brownies, or even good old gingerbread cookies. Worried about baking too much? Spread some holiday cheer by placing extra cookies on plates with some ribbon or a bow and delivering them to neighbors and friends.
6. Give yourself a manicure/pedicure
During the semester, you probably noticed your nails becoming cracked, chipped, and overgrown. After all, who has time for nail care when there are a million assignments to work on? Bring your nails back to life over winter break with a personal mani-pedi. Now that you’ve got more time on your hands, you can even experiment with some creative holiday-inspired designs. So put down that remote, grab the nail polish, and get painting!
7. Toast marshmallows in the oven
No fire pit? No beach? No problem! Pull up a chair next to your toasty oven and prepare one of your favorite treats! Just place your marshmallows on a baking sheet, set the oven to broil, and keep rotating them until they brown. Then indulge! They’re perfect for s’mores, or you can eat them without the chocolate and graham crackers.
8. Make Christmas ornaments
Give your Christmas tree a heartfelt touch of homemade with some fun craft ornaments! You can make cute, creative decorations with just about anything – from spare buttons to scraps of newspaper to a few balls of yarn. It’ll make for hours of fun, and you’ll have some great gifts for friends and classmates when you’re all done. Can’t get your creative juices flowing? Check out websites like Country Living or marthasteward.com for examples of easy, homemade Christmas ornament ideas.
9. Go ice-skating with friends
Sure, this might sound a little generic, but ice-skating really is one of the best ways to embrace the winter cold and the beauty of the holiday season. It’s also a great excuse to wear a cute pair of mittens and matching hat. Call some friends, grab (or rent) a pair of skates, and get out on the ice! The magical winter atmosphere and dazzling lights will definitely have you dreaming of a white Christmas.
10. Sleep
It goes without saying that you’re pretty drained from an exhausting semester and an even more exhausting week of finals. Among all of the excitement of the holiday season, make sure to get a little (or a lot!) of extra sleep. After all, you’ll need to catch as many extra z’s as possible to prepare for the coming semester. What’s more, studies have shown that colder temperatures help facilitate the core decrease in body temperature that initiates sleepiness. So, it turns out that winter is definitely the ideal time of year for a few extra cat naps. When all your exciting winter activities start to tire you out, don’t feel bad about laying down for a well-deserved snooze.
Photo sources:
http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2010/dec/31/exercise-gym-outdoors-fitness-results
http://afreckleintime.wordpress.com/2012/08/17/smores-milkshake/
http://www.sheknows.com/how-to/articles/978883/how-to-make-holiday-sugar-cookies
http://new.spring.me/#!/r/favourite-thing-about-winter-c/375136649962618833
http://craftyburbankgirls.blogspot.com/2010/11/homemade-christmas-ornament.html
http://www.whyamiunhealthy.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-sleep-15-tips-to-improving-your-sleep/