After the darkest days of winter, its long nights and the bitter cold, waking up to some new beginnings can sure be hard. What’s more, hibernation is a tricky thing: after the long winter holidays and the busy days that follow, you only have to relax a bit to let it in. It’s so subtle that you won’t even notice, and suddenly it’s mid-May and you don’t even know what you’ve been up to this whole time! Well, you surely need rest, and sweet slumber is by no means a bad option, but it’s definitely better to stay active - especially when it’s not really a problem if you follow some simple advice!
Getting up
I know, few things are as tempting as spending a couple more minutes in a warm bed, and no yesterday’s resolution to get up early seems convincing the moment you have to wake up. Still, it’s this moment that sets the pace for your whole day, and no amounts of hot coffee will mend your overslept condition. Truth to say, it took me several winters to come up with a good trick, which is going outside as soon as you wake up. A cold (or better chilling) morning breeze is great at washing away morning drowsiness, and your first hot drink in the morning tastes even better if you have it outside. And upon returning home, you’ll be too focused on your early morning routine to lie down again.
Movement is life
Simple as that. The more you move around, the less there is time for hibernation to get to you. If you can spend a little more time walking instead of using public transport, do so: you’ll feel all the more alive when you take this stroll, while half-sleeping in a bus will just revert you to the state of drowsiness you fought so hard to wake up from. And even if there’s no choice but to take the subway, stand instead of sitting and try reading instead of listening to music: you mind has to “move”, as well.
Staying awake
Waking up may be hard, but staying awake may be even trickier. It’s so easy to doze off and not even notice it, and I’m not talking about actually falling asleep: it’s more about letting your mind wander off. On the whole, it’s conscious vs. subconscious, and a good way to go about it is to make more conscious choices rather than acting out on habit. Enliven your daily routine: try something new for your lunch break, and stop by some place you’ve always wanted to explore on your way home. Actually, changing your usual routes is an even better option, and every new choice you make can become the little adventure that will help you stay more focused.
Carpe diem
Let’s admit it: early spring is not the best time in St. Petersburg. It’s either too cold, or windy, or moist to simply enjoy your days in our beautiful city, and there are no major festivities or seasonal activities that can offer a pleasant distraction. On the bright side, you get sufficient time to try some new hobby, or get yourself ready for the more eventful summer; this is a great chance to make plans and explore new opportunities. For one, spring is the best time to go to St. Petersburg’s museums before the summer tourist rush comes in. And even if you won’t really get into something new, new experiences will surely help keep you active!
Fight fire with fire
Or sleep with sleep, for the purposes of this article. As a seasoned sleep addict, I can safely say that the best way to struggle with hibernation is getting enough sleep. Staying up late to cram and partying through the night is indeed an essential part of the romance of youth, but do remember that occasionally, you just need to recover. So, give early bedtime a chance - at least when it’s your Facebook minute that you’ll be sacrificing for it.
Well, good luck to you all - and we hope you’ll make the most of your springtime in St. Petersburg! Yours, ITMO.NEWS.
