Sometimes we need days when we know the world outside will hum along just fine without us. Those days we can retreat into hibernation, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. But it can seem hard to enjoy the simple delights of a cold day when you have a mountain of textbooks staring ominously at you. So here are a few ideas to make hibernation the highlight of your week, while still being productive.
When I tell people to curl up with a good book, the predictive response is “I’d love to, I just don’t have the time.” A trick we can use to use to solve this problem is to create enjoyable reading environments. Choose the readings you have to do for your favorite classes and books within your major or line of work. Run a hot bubble bath, light candles, pour yourself a cup of tea or glass of wine, and soak while you read. You may even find it gives you a new appreciation for your discipline.
Another trick is to revert back to childhood and dig out all your sheets, chairs and pillows to build a study fort. Make sure to stock it with plenty of books, a lamp and snacks (maybe even stuffed toys). Hide from distractions in the fort and emerge an hour later with your mind full of new knowledge.
Knowing how to bake treats is a skill that is going to be equally valuable for your future and is also a break from hard work. You never know when you may need to win someone over with a dessert. Try conjuring up an apple pie, coconut-apricot muffins or peanut butter cookies — anything that could melt someone’s heart later on. Make sure to sample the mixture, of course, to avoid a possible disaster.
Back to academics: Do you secretly yearn to be a poet? Get all the facts for your next test, and then log on to rhymingdictionary.com and write your very own rhyming study guide. I did this once for a World Prehistory test and it seems that what rhymes … sticks around at test times.
To feel even more productive another personal favorite is sitting down next to the heater and writing lists. Write a list of 10 things you are thankful for, 10 friends you would like to be in contact with, 10 things you want to do this week or 10 wishes you would ask a genie for. You can write shopping lists, lists of the assignments you have to do or places you want to go.
When Monday morning comes around, the fort walls have come down and the peanut butter cookies have all mysteriously disappeared, but you will emerge a new person.
You’ll waltz into your next test with poetry in your mind and a song in your heart, and into the supermarket knowing exactly what to buy. You’ll smile already looking forward to the next time you can enjoy the small delights of a bath or baking, guilt free.