How to Have A Safe and Stress-Free Spring Break
Relaxing on the warm sand at the beach, napping and refreshing your mind and body from all of life’s pressures, or visiting family and spending time with friends. Once spring break comes around, the stress of midterms, classes, and projects seem to fade away. But despite the excitement, fun, and relaxation of this week off from school, the surprises that you might be left with can dramatically change your life in unpredictable ways. Spring break comes with more than just a break from school when you choose to attend parties, drink alcohol, and have sex. These choices can result in sexually transmitted diseases as well as unplanned pregnancy and sexual assault, leaving you with more than you bargained for when you return from spring break.
You might feel encouraged to choose casual sex in the moment, not considering the potential outcomes. And despite what looks like the “norm,” your decision to say no to sex is a much better decision, protecting you from STI’s, unwanted pregnancies, and more. In order to make coherent choices and not let alcohol cloud both your mind and your vision, choosing to stay sober makes a huge impact on protecting your body in these situations.
Besides the avoidance of alcohol, what can also help you stay safe and prevent unnecessary stress? First, create a strategy with those you are with that ensures each person is being responsible and accounted for. Be sure to keep an eye out for suspicious behavior of those around you—whether through your friends’ body language, potential drugs, or otherwise—and do not discount your instincts. If you feel uncomfortable in a dangerous environment, act on it by telling your friends and leaving the situation.
Your choices make a significant difference in the long run. Deciding to abstain from sex while on spring break and being cautious of the situations around you, going into your week with a game-plan, helps ensure that you will enjoy this time away from school much more. Choose the safer, more enjoyable path, and you will surely have a much more beneficial spring break.
If you are a student at KU, looking for additional resources regarding pregnancy information, pregnancy options, or support after you return spring break, Insight@KU is here for you! Alongside Insight Women’s Center, Insight@KU aims to empower students with knowledge, freedom and control to make the best possible decision for their pregnancy. Your life, your hopes, and your dreams all matter. Taking some time to learn all the facts about abortion will help you in making your decision. Insight@KU tables on KU’s campus each semester with free pregnancy tests, information, and other resources. You can find the location and times for tabling on our Instagram, or schedule a free appointment with one of our client advocates and nurses online.
