Take The Winter Brain Break
As a PGR, it can be tricky to take time off. It’s hard to know how to go about it and then what to fill your time with. Here’s some tips on how to make the most of your winter break and how to actually take a pause.
Taking Time Off
PGRs really struggle with this so here’s a step-by-step guide on how to go about leaving your desk for a break.
1. Schedule Time-Off
The most important thing here is to take time off. Read that sentence again. Your brain will perform better when you give yourself space to breathe and refresh your thoughts. It doesn’t matter what you spend the time doing, so long as you enjoy it.
2. Put Auto-Reply On
Get ready for your holidays by organising your time off with your supervisor and then pop an auto-reply on your email. Delete the email app from your phone – nobody needs to be emailing you, you’re on holiday. The same goes for Teams, Zoom and anything else that makes you reachable. You’re allowed time off and that includes not thinking about your work.
3. Plan What Will Be Done Before And After
Make a list of what you’ll do before you leave and where you’ll pick-up from when you return. Your future self will thank you. Besides, at the end of the day – most things can wait a few weeks.
4. Stick To What You Said
This is the most important part. You can’t change your days just because you have more on, this is a risky strategy that can carry forward and push further forward. Suddenly, you’re not stopping on Friday and you’re spending the weekend working and then the next week. Don’t do this. Simply, make a list and delete all the apps, put your computer away and do some of the activities we suggest next.
How To Fill Your Time
It’s easy enough to say that you now should have fun but that can be hard when you’ve been stressed for a long time. It can even be hard to relax since you’ve been on this treadmill/hamster wheel that you can’t get off of. Worry not! Our wonderful Researcher Development Team have created a whole host of wholesome ideas for you to fill your time with. Here’s some of my favourites:
Winter Scene through a window
Get Outside
While some of these felt just a tad extreme: will you ever find me running in the snow? I think not. I am more inclined to go a walk or hike and embracing the fresh air is so important in giving our brains rest and pulling us back to nature. One of my favourite suggestions on the whole padlet is this: getting outside in a Nordic fashion.
Something crazy I did lately was go on a day trip to an island (in a storm! We ended up on the last ferry!) but it was the most invigorating day. Not just because of the weather but the wind and rain pelting on my face was just something I don’t get looking at a laptop screen all day. It was wonderful to feel cold, go gin tasting and sightseeing. Following extraordinary days like these, I always think I need to welcome more joy into my life – what can be simpler than laughing in the rain?
A bleary day in Millport. Image: row of colourful houses.
Get Cosy
Images of cosy things: cat, dog, decorated tree and tea and biscuits.
Okay so easier than being happy in the rain is being cosy in front of a nice open fire. A good book, a crime or rom-com can have you sitting comfortable for hours. Bonus points if you have a cat or dog who will sit beside you all day long. You can even cosy up with a nice tv series or a film. If you’re wanting to be extra hygge, you can bake too.
Do Nothing
If none of this appeals, it’s perfectly acceptable to do nothing! Your holidays are exactly that: you can spend your time however you like. The most important thing is to make sure you take time off. It can be time doing whatever you like to do and whatever your body needs. If you need to sleep for ten hours a day (I am guilty) then that’s fine – early nights and long mornings. If you feel you need to eat a whole lot of lovely chocolate, then this sounds a fabulous way to spend your holidays. There is no right or wrong way to spend your own time, that’s the joy of having time to yourself. Spend it how you like!
Well Deserved Rest
Don’t worry if you’re not having your dream holiday or spending the time off in the same way as Vanessa Hudgens in her Princessy film. There is no right or wrong way to spend time. Just be sure to put all your work and PhD related things away, even just for a few days. I promise, your work will be much better when you return.
I, for one, am planning to watch the Sex in the City DVD box set, drink lots of tea and do nothing! I will sleep for twelve hours every single night, read all my rom-com winter themed books and I think that’s all: for me, the joy is having time to spend, or waste, as I please.
Rachel Eager is a second year PhD Candidate in Comparative Literature and is the Communications Intern 22/23. You can email her: Rachel.Eager@Glasgow.ac.uk or on Twitter @RachelEager2.
