Unwind and Connect
Self-care tips for the summer holidays
The summer holidays are often a time to relax and have fun after a long year of studying at school. However, for some it can be a time of increased stress, anxiety or feelings of loneliness. Hence, it becomes even more important to look after yourself during this time off school. Here are some tips to help keep you happy and healthy over the summer holidays.
Stay connected
Make time to do fun things with friends and family. This will help you feel loved and supported by the people you care about. If you are feeling lonely, reach out to a friend and suggest hanging out.
Get fresh air
Oftentimes we see summer break as time to spend indoors playing games, watching movies or sleeping. Spending time outside in nature can improve our overall health and wellbeing. Whether it is a picnic, a walk, or a sport you enjoy; there are lots of things you can do outside.
Set a goal
If you are worried about getting bored, try to plan an activity that you might enjoy. It could be learning a new language or maybe perfecting that football trick. You might surprise yourself with what you can achieve in 8 weeks.
Look after your body
Keeping our body healthy and strong is a great way to keep our mind healthy and strong too:
Get enough sleep (8-9 hours per night is recommended). Sleep expert and Lecturer in the School of Psychological Science, Dr Cele Richardson, UWA, quotes, “If you can, try to keep a regular wake up time even on weekends and holidays. Sleeping in on just 1-2 mornings can move your body clock later, meaning it can become harder to fall asleep and you might have great difficulty waking up early for work, or class”.
Eat healthily with occasional indulgences!
Stay hydrated, at least 6 to 8 glasses of fluid a day.
Do some exercise (the NHS recommends at least 60 minutes of exercise a day - walking the dog, cycling, dancing or sports. Have fun!)
Relax
Give yourself plenty of time to relax. Try taking a break from scrolling through social media and the news for a few hours each day; this will help you make time to give your full attention to chilling out. If you live in a busy house where there is not much time to relax, try to find at least 10 minutes a day to yourself where you can just be you.
Managing difficult feelings
While these habits can definitely help you stay well over the break, you may also need to reach out for some extra support during periods of loneliness, stress or anxiety. Here are some important numbers you can reach out to:
Remember to unwind and connect!!!