(“Smithville Lake, Kansas City, Missouri, USA")
Many people look forward to the chance to take a break from their daily routine and enjoy some downtime as the summer months get closer. Taking time off is crucial for sustaining our emotional and physical health, whether it's a vacation, a quick break from real life, or just some downtime at home.
It is impossible to stress how important breaks are. Without a break, if we study for a long time, we might easily feel worn out, stressed, and burned out. We may have physical symptoms like headaches, eyestrain, and back pain, and our productivity may suffer. Long-term effects like anxiety and sadness may result from this, among other more significant health issues. Especially with exam season coming up soon is essential to have a break afterward so we can allow ourselves to refocus and rejuvenate before returning back to school.
A study by National Institutes of Health researchers has mapped out the brain activity that flows when we learn a new skill(“Study Shows How Taking Short Breaks May Help Our Brains Learn New Skills”). They learned how taking short breaks from practice is a key to learning, as well as found that people that didn’t take breaks didn't retain any information. Along with all of this, they realized that sleep is one of the most important steps to being successful in academics, athletics, etc. The study proves how the use of a break will help you in the long run rather than not retaining any information in a short period of time.
Another benefit of taking a break during the summer is the opportunity to spend time with family and friends. In today's fast-paced world, it can be challenging to find time to connect with the people we care about. Being able to see family improves your mental health, studies show it makes you more happy and gives you a distraction from schoolwork or anything your stressing about(Thomas et al.). By taking a break, we can prioritize these relationships and create lasting memories that will stay with us long after the summer has ended.
In my experience with living in Bangkok, my extended family lives very far away. They have come to visit me on multiple occasions now. My grandma came in December 2022 and my other set of grandparents came in February 2023. I noticed many changes in my mental health and saw how much happier I was when they were around. Just taking time and taking a break from reality I saw how much a break was necessary. But when they left I saw myself feeling sad and missing their company. Another example is this summer, I get the opportunity to go visit all my family and friends in America and I couldn't be more excited about it. I get to go to the lake, shop around at all my favorite places, and most important just see all these people that I haven't seen in over a year.
Finally, it's worth knowing that taking a break isn't just good for you; it's good for the people around you as well. When we're stressed and burnt out, we tend to be less patient, less kind, and less understanding of others. By taking the time to recharge our batteries and prioritize our well-being, we become better friends, partners, parents, and colleagues.
Taking a break during the summer months is essential for maintaining our mental and physical health. It allows us to recharge, stimulate our minds and bodies, and spend quality time with loved ones. So, whether you're planning a vacation, or just chilling at home make sure to prioritize your well-being and take the time you need to rest.