12 Wellbeing Tips for the School Summer Holidays

Schools breaking up for the summer can bring joy, happiness, stress, and anxiety. Managing your psychological wellbeing is crucial for truly enjoying the summer with your children. Here are some tips to help you navigate the summer smoothly…

Set Realistic Expectations:

• Understand that perfection is not necessary or often possible.
• Accept that not everything will go as planned.

Plan and Prioritise:

• Create a to-do list and set realistic goals.
• Prioritise activities and tasks to reduce feelings of being overwhelmed.

Manage your time:

• Allocate time for self-care and relaxation.
• Avoid overcommitting to events or responsibilities.

Budget Mindfully:

• Plan your summer holiday spending and stick to that plan.
• Remember that activities with children don’t have to be expensive.
• Focus on quality time rather than extravagance.

Maintain Healthy Boundaries:

• Learn to say ‘no’ when necessary.
• Communicate openly with family and friends about your needs.

Practice Self-Care:

• Prioritise self-care routines, such as exercise and meditation.
• Get enough sleep to stay energised and reduce stress.
• Don’t eat and drink to excess.

Stay Connected:

• Spend quality time with loved ones.
• Reconnect with the best part of the summer holidays– ‘love and togetherness.’

Help Others:

• Helping other parents who struggle to cover child care while working can provide enhanced wellbeing.

These tips can help us all year round but can be especially valuable at this time of year. Never hesitate to reach out for professional support if you feel you need it. However, by following these guidelines and managing your psychological wellbeing, you can help ensure that summer holidays are a time of joy, connection, and meaning rather than stress and anxiety.