Stress-Free, Siena-Free Breaks

Three hours of driving, three hours of having to listen to 80s rock throwbacks with my dad, who is constantly reminding me that, this song was popular when he was my age, three hours of just wanting to get home.  

Home.  It’s a cozy word.  While Siena is my second home, with all my friends, my Padua room, and my NEXT fam., there is something about going home that you can’t describe. For me, it’s the kitchen part of home, where I can come in and bother my mom.  Or maybe, it’s the surroundings, my fifteen minute drives to Wolf Park and Lake Mohegan both are host to hiking trails my friends and I frequent.  For everyone it’s different.  There is just something about returning to Connecticut to see the family that makes me smile.

So it’s the holiday season.  A time for food, family, shopping, and relaxing.  Right about now you are probably thinking, “Nicole…there is no time for relaxing.  The semester isn’t over.  The academic year isn’t over.  There is so much I have to do.”  But, you can’t think like that, you have to realize you are home, you are not at Siena.  Don’t be afraid to step away.  Don’t be afraid to focus on what is here and now.

Here are some tips to taking a breather from Siena and stressors and realizing what is actually important this holiday season.

1. Spend quality time with your parents.

Even if it means doing something you don’t like.  I know parents can be lame and embarrassing more often than not, but that’s their job. They love and miss us.  So if they want to take you to the grocery store the day before Thanksgiving go with them, if they want you to go with them to the bakery the morning of Christmas Eve brave the lines of people and go, if they want to spend a New Years in with you watching the corny, cliché Time Square broadcast do it.  These little things mean the world to them and one day I can only hope we would be able to appreciate these moments as much as they do. 

2. Treat your siblings.   

Ugh, brothers and sisters.  I think it is safe to say by now most of us are out of the, “He is poking me” phase, or “She stole my brush,” phase of our relationships with our siblings.  However, there are still moments in my sister and I’s relationship I question that.  Let’s face it, as we get older we don’t see our siblings as often as we used to.  All of us will eventually go to college, move out, and move on.  Thus, making the moments we spend together more important.  So this break instead of worrying about texting your Siena Fam., spend some time with your sisters and brothers.  Do dorky things you can only do with them and let loose.   

3. Reach out to old friends.

 Anytime we go on break we get torn in many different directions; our job back at home, our families trying to make up for lost time, and me time.  However, it’s important to remember those who were with us through the awkward years, our hometown friends.  Anytime I find myself back in Easton I always shoot my friends a text.  We may not be able to hang out for hours, but we often try to grab coffee or take a stroll around Wolf Park.  It’s nice to briefly check-in and be able to make some more memories for the time being.

4. Spend time with your pets.

Having recently lost my 8 year old Labrador Retriever, Milton, this one is extra important to me.  Spend time with your pets, whether they be cats or dogs or horses or hamsters.  They miss you and you miss them.  Take them for a walk, give them extra kisses, sit with them on the floor, or maybe sneak them an extra treat.   Animals can be our best friends and they won’t ask you about what you want to do with your life.  They are content just being.   

5. Put the phone down. 

For once your hotline doesn’t need to bling.  Sorry Drake.  Don’t refresh your email to see if there is any breaking news from Siena, don’t keep snapchatting people the same selfie from your bed.  Take some time to go out and do things over your break.  If it’s the holiday season look for cliché holiday events in your area.  Grab some friends and try to make pilgrims hats, or have a holiday cookie break.  Leave your phone in your room and help your parents try to put the Christmas lights out, even though it will probably end in an argument. Not all your moments need to be snapchatted, after all somethings just can’t be seen as well through a phone screen  

6. Do something for you.

 Break is a time for us to step away from homework, job searches, and Siena Stressors.  It’s a time to remember to treat ourselves.  If you like coffee splurge on that expensive brand you barely get but always want to.  If you like to eat, make a special dish that may take hours to prepare, but do it because you have the time.  Personally, I always make time to ice skate.  I have been ice skating since I was 3 years old and every winter I take to our local pond and outdoor rink just to blow off steam.  Even in the summer, I will drive myself to the rink, to just enjoy myself.  Do something for yourself it not only relieves stress, but also gives you a chance to smile.

• breaks
• holiday
• relax