Summer can be a stressful time – as the weather is warmer outside, the kids are off from school – and have a lot of free time on their hands, there is a pressure to make sure there is something going on every single day. It’s important to make sure there is some downtime set aside so you can all have an enjoyable time together. Here, we talk about some top tips to reduce stress this summer during school holidays.
Plan your Summer Holiday Well in Advance
Summer holidays take a lot of planning and preparation, as such it’s never a good idea to leave this until the last minute. For the ultimate family vacation, you need to research well. Think about the duration you are going, how long the flights take, what the weather will be like when you get there and your accommodation.
Think about what you as a family for your holiday. Are you looking for a chilled out beach or pool holiday, or are you after something a little more adventurous? There are lots of great resources online that will help you decide what destination is best suited for you and what your objective is. Check out the likes of TripAdvisor to get unbiased and objective opinions. You can even have a look at some travel guides that outline the most popular destinations this year. You might also want to consider an all-inclusive option to make life as easy as possible for you.
Prepare your Travel Plans Well
When you have decided on where you are going on holiday, getting the small details right can reduce a lot of stress – for example, your travel to and from the airport. Many people rely on public transport to get there, but you are then at the mercy of them arriving on time, and unscheduled interruptions that could cause some anxiety. There is also the option to book a taxi to the airport, but again this is leaving your travel arrangements in someone else’s control.
When you drive to and from the airport, you are in complete control of when you leave – and can make sure that there is enough time to allow for traffic. It also means that you can preload the car which can come in handy if you are going to the airport at unsociable hours. There are some top Heathrow airport pre-book options that you can make use of so you know that you will have a spot when you arrive at the airport. You can also get Heathrow airport parking cheap when you visit Heathrow Parking.
There is also nothing worse or more stressful than arriving at your destination and it taking forever to get to your hotel. Especially when there are kids most likely yelling “Are We There Yet?”. This is something else that should be booked well in advance to avoid starting your holiday off on a sour note.
Take up a New Family Activity
Holiday’s only last a short time, and there is still a lot of time to make up with the kids. Why not take up a new family activity? It could be something sporty and adventurous like cycling. You could check out some of the UK’s top cycling routes together and schedule in time over the summer to explore them when the weather is warmer. Not only will this keep everyone occupied, but the exercise will put everyone in a good mood.
You could also think of doing something at home. Does your garden need a spruce up? Is there room to build a treehouse or a den for the kids? A lot of fun can happen within the planning element – and it means that you will also have something to show for the summer. Even something like painting the back garden fence can be turned into a fun family activity. This is great for bonding together as a family.
Go on a Yoga or Wellbeing Retreat
Although you will want to plan as much fun and activity as you possibly can with your kids, you also may need some time just for yourself for a bit of rest, and the chance to recharge your batteries. As such, don’t be worried about scheduling in some time for yourself if you have the time.
There are some great yoga and wellbeing retreats out there – that have been created specifically for giving you the chance to refocus. There are so many health benefits of yoga to think about too. As well as reducing stress, it can also give your energy levels a bit of a boost, which is definitely helpful if you are running around after kids. You will also help it improves all-round fitness and can allow you to become more mindful.
Wellbeing retreats tend to focus on your overall wellbeing and are run and led by wellness experts. You can expect a little bit of luxury in terms of the accommodation and tend to place a focus on healthy foods that meet your dietary requirements. You will also be able to get help on wellbeing from the people who work at the retreat. Taking some time out for you to enjoy the summer holiday with your kids isn’t something you should feel guilty about, it will be beneficial for them as well as you.
Visit the Beach Regularly
There is nothing more calming and relaxing than visiting a beach. The ocean itself can have a calming effect on your mind. It doesn’t need to be the sea, even the pool could relax your mind. It’s true what they say in that you could be sitting at the beach and hours could go by without you even knowing it. That’s because the calming effect of the water can have a meditative state on your mind. People also tend to find themselves being much more creative when they are at the beach, so it’s a good way to get out of a mental rut and open your mind. Have you ever heard of the phrase “shower thoughts”? That phrase has been coined because people tend to get the best ideas around water.
If you have a dog, then make sure you schedule in some time to take them to a beach near you. It can also be a great place to enjoy some family fun activity. You could go collecting shells or paddling in the sea. You could even make up your very own treasure hunts. Being by the water is beneficial in many ways. Here are some of the best beaches around the UK.
If you have kids and are already wondering how you are going to entertain them for such a long time period – day in, day out, then don’t stress about it – there are lots to do. Make sure you plan to make your summer holiday a special one if you are going on one and enjoy some family fun activities. What’s equally important is that you set some time aside for you. Even if you don’t go on a retreat or a little mini-break – make sure you do a spa day or something like that.
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