As we all know, one of the most exciting holidays of the year is coming up…Thanksgiving! Nothing says to “relax and eat lots of yummy, home-cooked food” in my mind more than the word “Thanksgiving.”

You may be thinking to yourself, “Wow. Ten days is a long time for a holiday break, what should I do?”

Well, I have a few ideas for you.

One of the many things that I like to do over break is to sleep, of course, but there are a few things in particular that I make sure I do every Thanksgiving break. It is essential that you not only rest and re-group but that you enjoy and spend quality time with your friends and family. Before you know it, you will be headed off to college, and you will reminisce on the times where you had your family and friends by your side. I always help my mom in the kitchen and try to reach out to some of my friends whom I have not gotten much time to hang out with since school started.

Another activity that I like to do over Thanksgiving break is making multiple trips to either a local homeless shelter or soup kitchen. It is the season of giving, and everyone deserves to have a Thanksgiving holiday filled with love, food, and support. Alternatively, you could spread the word on social media to your friends, family, and the local community to collect and drop off canned food items to a local food bank. Donations during the holiday season are always appreciated, even if you cannot gather your things in time for Thanksgiving Day itself.

Additionally, I encourage you to spend some time focusing on self-care. Whether this is having a Netflix marathon, going for a run in the sunny weather and seeing the glorious color-changing leaves of Autumn, trying a new face mask every day, spending time in the bath with some candles, or laying in a blanket curled up with an interesting book and a pumpkin spice latte—relaxation is essential. We have all worked so hard academically for the past few months, so make sure you spend some time taking care of yourself both mentally AND physically. Go for a 30-60-minute walk in the afternoon sunshine with your dog, or even convince your siblings to go on a scenic bike ride with you! All of these things help to clear the mind and get you out of the house and moving. When you have a break from the chaotic day-to-day school schedule, it is important to take the time to take care of yourself.

Finally, have a great Thanksgiving! Share lots of laughs with one another, show your gratitude, and always remember to give thanks.

Gobble Gobble!