For many people who are students or have kids who go to school, spring break is right around the corner. This is a common time to plan beach trips somewhere warm, go on family vacations, or to just spend a little extra time together at home with loved ones.
If you’ve committed to living an eco-friendly lifestyle, here are some tips for having a healthy and sustainable spring break this year.
Focus on Outdoor Activities
The early springtime is a perfect time to start getting back outside and getting active. Spring break is an excellent time to kick things off with a trip that revolves around hiking, biking, kayaking, or another outdoor activity you enjoy.
Celebrate in Moderation
For many college students heading out for spring break, this is an occasion for excess and indulgence. But for a healthier spring break experience, do your best to practice moderation in all things – food, alcohol, staying up late, and minimizing risky behaviors. Your body and mind will thank you later when you’re feeling well enough to get out and enjoy nice weather and remember all the details.
Catch Up on Sleep
If you’ve been feeling exhausted and run down throughout the winter, spring break might be your ideal time to simply catch up on sleep. We often minimize the importance of a good night’s sleep, but restless nights and insomnia eventually take their toll on even the healthiest individuals. To improve your sleep this spring break, try going to bed a little earlier, winding down with a book instead of a screen, and sipping some soothing herbal tea before bed instead of drinking alcohol or eating late-night snacks.
Do a Local Staycation
If you’re looking to avoid exposure to germs and also reduce your carbon footprint, consider a spring break staycation in your own local area. With a few extra days off of school, you can check out museums or parks in your home city or a nearby town that you’ve never gotten around to visiting.
Another idea is to dine outside on a restaurant patio on a nice spring day while enjoying locally sourced cuisine. Simple and safe days at home playing board games are also a fun way to spend those extra hours of free time during spring break.
Take a Bus or Train Trip
If staying at home for spring break doesn’t sound like much fun, plan a trip that involves public transportation rather than driving your own car or hopping on a flight. Bus and train trips are more fuel-efficient than personal modes of transportation and also take the navigation hassles out of finding your way around a new place.
Prepare Your House for Vacation
If you are going on a trip for spring break, make sure that your house is ready for vacation too. This may involve adjusting your thermostat so that your heating and cooling systems aren’t running unnecessarily while you aren’t at home. You can also save household energy during your trip by unplugging appliances, turning down your water heater, pulling curtains shut to block out the sun, and using a programmable timer for lights if you want to leave some on for security purposes.