Ah, the blessed relief that is Spring Break looms on the horizon. With barely a week left, all collegiate-type people are finding it difficult to concentrate on their work and get things done. During this period of anticipation and procrastination my weary, muddled mind finds little it would like to concentrate on other than the break; so, naturally, I’ll write an article about it!
It seems to me I heard somewhere that the institution of spring break was due, partly, to increased suicide rates among college age people around this time of the year. I found this an interesting urban myth and decided to investigate the origins of the ritual, the tradition, the possible necessity that is “Spring Break.”
It turns out the Greeks and Romans beat us all to the party. They were celebrating the spring solstice ages before us but in very similar ways. Much wine and dancing ensued in the celebration of Dionysus or Bacchus, the god of wine. This was done in response to spring being the season of fertility. Hey, can you think of a better time to have some fun and get a little drunk? Neither can I.
But in today’s society does Spring Break serve a higher purpose than mere celebration? Statistics from Morbidity ‘ Morality Weekly Report state that homicide rates tend to be higher at the beginning of each new semester and that suicide rates are also highest among the general population in spring. This is extremely understandable since each new semester is a new transition period, opening the floodgates for new levels of stress and burden on college students who do their best to achieve.
In addition to these statistics, let’s have a look at what the weather is typically like this time of the year. Here in Florida we don’t feel the effects of a long winter at all. We start shivering and complaining the second the temperature drops below 60 degrees. But up north, college students have spent the last few months battling dreary skies, no sunlight, frigid temperatures, and ceaseless storms of ice and snow. It’s a tough environment to live in when you already are dealing with stress from school and the everyday complications of life. It’s no wonder people are more susceptible to depression and therefore thoughts of suicide or homicide around this time of year.
Well, it seems like Spring Break is pretty good timing! Just when everyone’s reaching the end of their rope a little free time pops up on the calendar and perhaps saves them from jumping off Vaughn without a parachute or attacking some evil professor with a spork. Oh come on, you’ve thought of it too.
The rejuvenation time certainly does one some mental health favors. Arguably, breaks may even be of more benefit in the long term that all the medication we get prescriptions for when we’re feeling low, unproductive, or unable to focus. People nowadays can turn to antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, and other such medications to relieve their doldrums and stress. But how healthy is it to be taking medicines that probably aren’t even necessary? It’s increasingly too easy to get a hold of this stuff and to become reliant upon it.
Perhaps what we need are more breaks instead of more drugs. In Mexico, they have siestas and in many European countries there is an hour or so dedicated to relaxation after work. I’m not saying that people already don’t find time to relax on their own, but instead of completely passing over minor holidays (and some major ones) maybe more people should take some time to dedicate to their mental well-being and overall health.
That’s why we love Spring Break so much, right? Because we have an absolutely free week to do as we please and recover from the stress of school related issues. Granted, many people self medicate via copious amounts of alcohol, but still it’s the idea that counts. So, when you’re on a fabulous vacation, partying in Ft. Lauderdale, or maybe just sitting around your house this next week, take some time to consider how beneficial this break could be if you use it to you advantage. Who knows, it could be a life-saver.