Yes! It is finally that time of year when law students across the country get a reset. If you’re like most students, you are probably planning to use this time to catch up, but don’t forget the importance of practicing self-care during law school spring break.
Recognize the Importance of Self-Care During Law School Spring Break
Sure, spring break is a great time to catch up on projects that have been bogging you down. And if they are causing you anxiety, you should absolutely do that.
But you should also spend some time taking care of yourself. Recognize that you are in a notoriously difficult, stressful, and sometimes toxic environment. Feelings of stress are normal.
It probably seems like you don’t have enough time to manage your coursework and make time for self-care. But law school is a great time to get into a self-care routine. Forming good habits now–like putting your health and wellness first–will help you set boundaries and take care of yourself going forward.
Further, Legal employers often ask interview questions, like “what do you like to do in your spare time?” or “what are your hobbies?” because they want to know you have healthy outlets to handle the stress of law school and, eventually, practice.
So now is a great time to find or rekindle a hobby and begin taking care of yourself.
Related: Five Tips to Succeed in Law School
Consider Creating a Self-Care Challenge During Law School Spring Break
Starting today, I am focusing on self-care, too.
Here is my self-care challenge: print a calendar for the month of March and write in one self-care goal for each day. If I complete all of my self-care goals, then I will reward myself at the end of each week.
Here is a resource for free printable calendars, but you can also find plain calendars here if that’s more your style.
If my challenge seems stressful for any reason, don’t do it. There are loads of self-care challenges all over the internet.
Alternatively, consider setting one measurable goal for the week, like taking a nap every day or going for a fifteen-minute walk.
You don’t have to reward yourself either, especially if you will beat yourself up if you miss a day of the challenge or fall off. Remember, self-care is about exactly that: self-care. So go at your own pace and be gentle with yourself.
Related: Five Great Resources for First-Year Law Students
Ideas for Self-Care During Law School Spring Break
Self-care means different things to different people.
It doesn’t have to be expensive, and what I consider self-care, you might find stressful, or vice-versa. For example, I don’t meditate. I’ve tried many times over the years, and it stresses me out. So I simply don’t do it.
I recommend creating your own self-care list, but here are some ideas to get you started:
Please note, this list contains affiliate links, which means I will get paid a small commission if you click on a link and subsequently make a purchase. This helps me run my blog, and all opinions remain my own.
- Read a book for fun. I like fiction and fantasy because it gets me out of my head.
- Foam roll. It feels like a full-body massage, and once you buy the foam roller (or use one at the gym), it’s free.
- Drink warm water. It’s simple and free, but it feels so soothing and warming.
- Make a healthy meal. Or consider inviting friends and family over for dinner.
- Exercise. I like yoga, but you can find pretty much any type of exercise class for free on Youtube.
- Rest. Naps are my favorite, but your rest might involve going to bed an hour early, sleeping in, or maybe even spending a day doing nothing (as long as you don’t feel guilty about it).
- Find or rekindle a hobby. Here is another place Youtube comes in to play; you can learn almost anything on Youtube.
- Listen to a Pod and go for a long walk. If you enjoy pods or audiobooks, put in some earbuds and get to stepping.
- Spend time with your loved ones. If you are an extrovert or if you have a great friend or family member who always makes you feel better, this is a great way to care for yourself.
- Make a to-do list that prioritizes you. Checking off a to-do list feels really satisfying for a lot of people. If it doesn’t stress you out, consider making a to-do list that prioritizes taking care of yourself. Maybe make that doctor’s appointment you’ve been putting off.
- Take a hot bath or a long shower. And your purpose should only be to relax and take care of yourself.
- Visit an indoor greenhouse. Or otherwise get out of the house and do something novel.
- Make a playlist and clean or organize. If it motivates you and makes you feel like you are creating a better space for yourself, it’s self-care.
- Draw, color, or create. Adult coloring had it’s moment, but it really is relaxing.
- Join an adult sports team. Many law schools and universities have co-ed soccer or basketball teams.
- Train for a 5K, half marathon, etc. Many law students and attorneys enjoy running.
- Start a self-care blog. Or otherwise record your self-care journey to create a record for yourself and/or to inspire others.
Again, self-care is different for everyone. The goal is to find something that makes you feel good. If you are an introvert, you might not love a group fitness class, but you might really enjoy reading or drawing.
Take your time figuring out what self-care means to you, and if something doesn’t feel right, don’t do it.
Self-Care While on Vacation
If you are traveling during law school spring break, you can still use this time to practice and prioritize self-care. Many of the activities listed above can be integrated into your vacation, especially novel experiences.
Spending time in a car or on a plane? No problem. Listen to a pod, read a book, or start a self-care journal.
If your vacation is active, great. You can hike or go for walks.
Finally, spending time with friends or family and eating good food is a great way to care for yourself. There are so many ways you can incorporate self-care into your vacation.
Be Gentle with Yourself
The biggest takeaway is to be gentle with yourself. The purpose of self-care is to take a break from your stress and do things that make you feel physically and mentally healthy and cared for.
Self-care doesn’t have to be expensive either. I hope the above list gives you a lot of ideas to care for yourself for free or while on a law school budget.
It is important to start now, though, as it will help you establish healthy boundaries and teach you to protect yourself going forward.
If you have some unique ideas for self-care, please share in the comments below!
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