Moving Home For the Holidays & How to Cope
As the semester draws to a close, you may be getting ready to travel back home for the holiday break. While some students may find this to be an exciting time to reunite with loved ones and decompress after a busy semester, others may view this time as daunting and anxiety-inducing. Student Health and Wellness wants to help make this transition easier and less stressful. Here are 5 of our best tips for coping with moving home for the holidays.
1. Setting Boundaries
Although you may be moving back home, it can be a stressful and overwhelming time to be surrounded by family again 24/7. Ensure that you set boundaries with your family so you can still catch up and socialize but also decompress and take time for yourself.
2. Take Time For Yourself
You just completed a very busy semester, allow yourself time to breathe! Some ways to decompress and take time for yourself are by going on walks, watching your favourite television show, catching up with a friend, or even simply just sleeping.
3. Stay Active
Staying active is a great way to cope with moving home for the holidays. Exercise not only helps our physical health, but our mental health as well by releasing endorphins that help us feel good, both mentally and physically. Try out a new yoga class, go on a walk around your neighbourhood, or even playing some Just Dance from the comfort of your home.
4. Creating a Routine
Although it may be tempting to sleep for the entire day (do as you please, we won’t judge), creating a routine while at home for the holidays can make the days feel less the same and give you something to look forward to everyday. If you wake up at the same time everyday, cook your favourite meal, or catch up with a friend, the days will feel busy and more productive rather than just figuring out what to do with all your free time.
5. Start a New Hobby!
Hobbies are a great way to escape our own minds. Maybe there is a TikTok trend you’ve wanted to try (Colour Tok, I’m looking at you) or a new trail you’ve wanted to hike, or even a book you’ve been eyeing for a while— this is your time to start! You won’t always have this free time, and hobbies can offer a great distraction from any personal or familial issues you may be dealing with.
As always, Student Health and Wellness is here to support you, even during the holidays. Our friends at Good2talk are available 24/7 to support you whenever you need to.
Makayla Foster, Peer Wellness Educator Lead
