Spring Break Safety and Self-Care

Mental health breaks look different for everyone. Find something that works for you, and add some time in your days off to practice these breaks and recharge:

• Spend time outdoors.
• Unplug and take a break from technology.
• Set boundaries for yourself to make your mental health a priority.
• Find a morning or nighttime routine that feels good.
• Catch up on sleep.
• Spend time with or call family and friends you haven’t seen in awhile.

• Protect your skin – use sunscreen and wear a hat and sunglasses.
• Use bug spray.
• Stay hydrated and eat healthy – remember to fuel your body with nutritious, filling meals.
• Exercise – go for a run on the beach, visit the hotel gym, go for a swim.
• Relax – remember, Spring Break should be a time to unwind and refocus.

Keep these travel tips in mind to ensure you and your friends stay safe:

• Travel with a buddy, whenever possible.
• Have a plan to get to and from your destination before you leave.
• Share your location with trusted family or friends.
• If flying, keep important documents, cards and IDs with you at all times.

If you are of legal drinking age and you choose to drink:

• Watch your drink being poured and never leave your drink unattended.
• Choose a designated driver or plan for safe transportation home.
• Alternate drinks with water.
• Pace drinks to one or fewer an hour.
• Know the signs of alcohol poisoning.
• Step up and intervene if someone is in trouble.
• Stay with friends, and learn a buddy's phone number in case you can’t access your phone.

• Communicate.
• Get consent – this means a clear and sober "YES".
• Use protection.
• Recognize a dangerous situation.
• Keep friends from being a victim or perpetrator of assault.

If you see something, do something.

When a threat may be present, active bystanders should intervene if a person is in need of medical assistance, mental health crisis help or any other form of assistance.

Here are some tips for intervening to help friends in trouble:

• Traveling with friends can be a lot of fun. Make an agreement to look out for each other throughout the trip and step in to help.
• If you go out with your friends, go home with your friends. Be ready to step up if you are worried about a friend who leaves with someone they don’t know. Create a distraction, or simply say that it’s time for your group of friends to go home.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Alcohol poisoning is a medical emergency. Knowing the warning signs and intervening if a friend is in danger could save a life.