How to Make the Most of Your Thanksgiving Break

(Relaxing and Recharging Edition)
By Martina Efeyini

For most of us, Thanksgiving is a day to eat delicious holiday treats, visit relatives we have not seen in months, and give thanks. Even though this is a short holiday break, there is still enough time to relax and recharge.

Here are 5 ways to make the most of your Thanksgiving break:

1.     Read a book:  Are there any books on your must-read list that you have been meaning to read?  Get comfortable. Grab a book and read while sipping on hot chocolate or tea by the fireplace. Reading is a great way to relax your mind and take a mini vacation from reading science on a daily basis.

2.     See a movie: Check out the latest movie releases. (Anyone else catching Catching Fire? Yay for strong female leads!) Make it a girls movie night at the cinema or go to a friend’s house for a marathon of holiday movies. Instead of buttery popcorn try making homemade treats, such S’Mores or caramel popcorn.

3.     Explore your creative side: Sometimes being a Scientista can be tough, and you may feel like you are not being creative enough on a regular basis. If you are looking for a creative fix, go to Pinterest for inspiration. Whether you like DIY projects or trying new recipes, Pinterest has a project for you! My favorite projects are DIY holiday décor and making pumpkin themed treats.

4.     Spend time with your younger sibling or cousin: Do you have a younger sibling or cousin that you have not spent time with in months? Use a few hours of your Thanksgiving break to show them you care. See what they are interested in and tell them about your work so they can stop thinking you are a mad scientist. 

5.     Have fun: Even though Thanksgiving is a short break, make the most of it. Thanksgiving is a time to take pictures and make memories. After the break is over, you want to be able to look back and  realize how truly thankful you are.

What will you try from this list? Remember, a relaxed and recharged Scientista is a more productive and happy Scientista. Sometimes we work all day and forget to enjoy the simple things in life.

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!

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Martina G. Efeyini is a native of Maryland and has a B.S. and M.S. degree in Toxicology. Her goal is to earn her Ph.D. in Microbiology and Immunology focusing on vaccine development of malaria. In her spare time she enjoys doing DIY projects, reading and hopes to do research abroad in the future.

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