The most-awaited long weekend is here - the National Day holidays.
Being at the end of November, the gentle weather for sure will lure one outdoors. No matter which day of the year it is, one place you can go to see people enjoy the outdoors is Al Qurum Natural Park. They even have tricycles for adults and nice restaurants to dine in not to forget picnic spots as people come in with their own mats and food as well.
There might be others who would want to recover from what experts call 'sleep debt.'
While sleep scientists say weekend “catch-up sleep” can’t fully undo chronic sleep loss, it can improve mood, focus, and reaction time — benefits that students can feel by Sunday.
For now, weekends remain the most accessible opportunity for teens to catch their breath — and their sleep.
Lack of sleep doesn’t just make people tired, it affects decision-making, reaction speed and overall well-being note the experts. For teens balancing academics, extracurriculars, and social lives are significant.
Researchers have linked short or irregular sleep in teens to challenges with attention, memory and emotional balance. Students who report getting consistent sleep also tend to perform better academically and handle stress more effectively.
And in a world where students juggle more responsibilities than ever, that makes consistent rest not just a personal choice but a public health issue worth paying attention to.
Weekends offer a rare chance for students to recover from the accumulated exhaustion of the school week.
But we can be quite sure they are not going to invest their time in sleep. Rather, they are going to be pleased with the idea that they do not have to listen to the alarm early in the morning.
The adults in the family would also be at ease during these four days. But the children in the family would be waiting for some adventure and outdoor activities.
How about having a mini-schedule for one adventure day, one chill day, one day with friends, and one catch-up day?
Indulge in meals you want to try cooking, and how about keeping up with a small personal goal such as finishing reading a book that you have been desperately wanting to read, organising something or learning a new skill?
Whether it is picking up photography, trying a new sport, learning to code, or even mastering a new recipe, students today are exploring more skills than ever. With the digital world at the tip of the fingers, it is easier than ever before to explore hobbies and skills. In today's world talent is not enough; we need to upgrade it to a skill.
And experts say this trend is not just a pastime. In fact, it is a major advantage for teens navigating a rapidly changing world, as every year new trends are setting in.
We know having skills helps in building confidence because there is a bit of psychology there.
Psychologists note that learning a new skill can boost confidence in noticeable ways. When students see themselves improving, even slowly, it reinforces a sense of capability. For teens who often face academic pressure or social comparison, small wins can make a meaningful difference.
But there is more to learning new skills; it is about training the brain for adaptability. And this is extremely important because cognitive researchers point out that when we learn something new, the brain forms fresh connections. Over time, this strengthens problem-solving, creativity and the ability to adapt — skills that are increasingly valued in school and future careers. In a world where technology and industries change quickly, adaptability may be one of the most important skills of all.
And this is true for adults too; as long as one does not feel it as a burden, experimenting with a new skill can be refreshing.
So the four days can be a healthy break from stress.
Experts say that engaging in something enjoyable, even about 20 minutes of focused, low-stress activity, can help reset the brain.
This could be something that all of us can try. Imagine a hall of leaders of different professional backgrounds, and they try something they have never done before to develop a new skill.
But have you noticed, sometimes we give up before we even begin. Learning something new can be frustrating at times. Learning is frustrating because our brain resists change by sticking to old patterns, and it can be difficult to handle the high cognitive load of new information.
Why does the brain like the old patterns?
It is the comfort zone. So the mind has to work hard to overcome this challenge and take the step forward to break the pattern.
Time for disruption.
You may also feel frustrated by the gap between your expectations and your actual progress, the uncertainty of stepping outside your comfort zone, and the delayed gratification of mastering a new skill.
Learning requires facing uncertainty, anxiety and self-doubt, and being judged but mistakes and failures are part of the process. But, come different versions of self-doubt: a voice in your head says it is so much easier to walk away.
Experts explain that the brain often craves instant rewards, but learning takes time. And that is one of the other reasons for the discomfort. The results you want are often delayed, which can lead to frustration when you do not see them immediately.
In other words, let's do something different this long weekend.
Lakshmi Kothaneth
The writer is a senior editor of Observer
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