Mondays’ are the hardest days; back to school, back to work, back to reality. Feeling a little low or sad after vacation is completely normal. Your body and mind were on a break, and now you’re expected to just jump back into the swing of things. With a few more months left of school, teens can often become discouraged and overwhelmed about the second half of the school year. However, there are some things you can do to change your attitude.

1. Try out for a sports team; maybe try a sport you’ve never played before
Exercise can help you cope with the stress and aggravation of school and homework.

2. Countdown to summer
Post a calendar so you can count off the days until school vacation. Write in important dates up so you have something to look forward to. Summer is just around the corner!

3. Keep a positive attitude
Try to look at the rest of the school year as an opportunity to improve. If you carry a negative attitude throughout the rest of the school year, time will only drag on.

4. Try to remain stress-free
Although it may be challenging to balance studying with extra-curricular activities, you can use relaxation techniques to help you cope; such as yoga, meditation, dance, or another type of positive outlet.

5. Make plans for the summer
Start looking for a summer job or summer volunteer opportunity. There are tons of programs out there that will give you something fun and interesting to do during the summer. This will also give you something exciting to look forward to.

Remember that you are not alone and that many other teens feel low after vacation. My advice: stay focused, positive, relaxed and keep your goals in sight!

-Nisi