The date of Easter this year means that you have a break between teaching and your assessments. Whilst this is a great time to work on essays and prepare for your exams, it’s also important that you take some downtime to look after your wellbeing. Here are some tips to plan your time over spring break:

1. Plan downtime

Make a study timetable that includes time off. Make sure your scheduled breaks are clearly visible on your timetable - that way you’ll always have breaks to look forward to and your time off will feel more protected.

2. Use your breaks effectively 

If you tend to stay at your laptop and switch from work to social media, or to look at your phone, reflect on whether your break feels like a break. It might feel better to get up, move around, and have a change of scenery.

3. Go outdoors

Research has shown that time spent outdoors has multiple benefits for our mental health. The contrast between time spent indoors working and time outdoors can also help you feel refreshed.

4. Be social

Make time to see housemates and friends. Academic work can feel lonely and isolating, so spending time connecting with others is really important for your wellbeing.

5. Exercise!

Whether it’s the gym, a swim, or a brisk walk, it does you good in so many ways both physically and mentally.

6. Eat well

Feed your brain with nourishing meals and try to avoid processed foods. It might be worth batch cooking some of your favourite healthy meals and freezing them – you will appreciate this in the assessment period.

7. Sleep well

Try to stick to your sleep pattern. It can be tempting to throw routine out of the window when you no longer have early morning classes.  However, the best way to maintain a healthy sleep pattern, and get lots of rest, is to try to go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time each day. This will help your brain to function well, which is especially important at this time of year!

8. Relax

Do some focused relaxation. Think about what works well for you; whether it’s a hot bath, playing Xbox, mindfulness, remembering to breathe deeply, or going for a walk outside – make time for it and give yourself permission to enjoy it.

9. Ask for help when you need it

Aside from the minimum service days (17-22 April), when very few staff will be working, you can still access support. The Student Centre will be open for in person support or you can log an enquiry on My Sussex. You can also find more useful advice on the Student Minds website.

The Student Wellbeing Team provide information, resources and initiatives which support you to make the most of your time at Sussex. Find us on the Student Hub, through our canvas site or follow us on Instagram.