Down-time should be a priority of our everyday lives, but more times than not, it falls to the wayside. Getting caught up in homework, after school activities, and spending time with friends; we as teenagers tend to have little time to ourselves. If we do have time alone, we sometimes feel as if it was time wasted. Here are some super easy and relaxing ways to spend your down-time accordingly:

Read a book

Reading is a hobby that has been losing popularity among teens these days, but you can change that! If you don’t usually have time to read during your busy days, take some time to yourself in a comfortable spot in your house, or your local library, and spend some time by yourself with a great book in your hands.

Watch a movie on Netflix

Netflix has so many great TV shows, but if you don’t have eight straight hours to kill, try watching a movie instead of getting sucked into a new Netflix series. Here are some of my favorite Netflix movie picks: Lilo & Stitch, Bonnie & Clyde, and Frida. Lilo & Stitch brings me back to my childhood, whereas Bonnie & Clyde and Frida give you insights to some famous people you might not know a lot about.

Go outside

Whether you are going to go on a walk or just sit and admire the world around you, going outside is a great way to spend your down-time. Going outside can be fun and has healthful benefits. Take in some sun and get your vitamin D intake for the day before hitting the books again.

Listen to music and dance

Listening to music can be relaxing, but if you’re pretty stressed with all of your deadlines, dancing can be a way to eliminate some of your stress. Dancing is a way of expression, so it’s no surprise that you can rid some of your stress with the use of dance. So get out there and party like it’s 1999.

Take a nap

Everyone knows sleep is an important part of our well-being, so make sure you’re catching those zz’s. To make sure you don’t waste too much time, set an alarm for an hour later, and lay down and relax. Even if you don’t fall asleep, your mind and body will thank you for a little bit of a rest.

There are so many more ways to put your personal time to good use. Everyone is different. I encourage you to strive to have a healthy balance of work and relaxation in your day. Life is hectic, but it is important to take care of yourself.  Begin to see relaxation time as a vital part of every day.