A variety of suggestions below on ways to
improve your health and wellbeing over the summer holidays. Relax, spend time
together and have fun!
What is Geocaching? It is mentioned a couple of times below. Watch a short video here explaining how easy it is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuFiLhhCNww&feature=youtu.be
https://www.parenthub.co.uk/5-tips-for-summer-holiday-wellbeing/
Follow our top five tips and let us know how you’ll be relaxing this summer.
Create a family bucket list – this could be a great way to start your holidays, give you focus for the break and also allow you to discuss your interests as a family. Brainstorm together and agree on your top priorities, don’t over commit yourself so choose between 5 & 10 items for your list. If it goes well you could always create a new bucket list for the following year. Make sure the list is visible so that it can be something you come back to and discuss throughout the summer.
Consider practising mindfulness – this is a scientifically-proven meditation technique that can help to combat stress. A simple minute of mindful breathing is a good way to start. There are some great free apps and websites that can help get you started and provide some guidance for beginners.
Get Active – Look for ways to stay active individually and as a family. If your children have interests in active hobbies do your best to keep encouraging these over the break from school. Take time for your own active pursuits so that you’re a positive role model. Look for ways to get active as a family, a walk, trips to the park or even just spending time in the garden.
Communicate – Share worries and seek out support from friends
and family. Talk to one another and importantly listen to each other too. Try
to share successes and celebrate when good things happen as well as talking
through difficult situations. The summer break can be the perfect time to work
on ensuring that home is an environment where discussion is encouraged.
Switch off – Whether it’s keeping up to date with current affairs, browsing social media, watching a favourite programme or checking work emails mobile phones, tablets and the TV are a huge part of everyday life. However, switching off and undertaking a family digital detox can be a great way to take time out and focus on quality family time. Try replacing time normally spent watching TV or checking social media with active time and get your kids to do the same. Aim to turn off all screens for an hour before bed to help you unwind and prepare for sleep and consider removing devices from the bedrooms entirely. With this one its really important that parents lead by example so try, where possible, to avoid checking emails etc during your family times.
www.boundless.co.uk/be-inspired/wellbeing/in-the-moment-family-wellbeing
Join a global treasure hunt
Being in nature is key to a happy life. What better way to have a go than geocaching? This is a worldwide
treasure hunt with millions of hidden objects waiting to be discovered using
GPS or a smartphone map. Hidden in plain sight, the geocaches contain a secret
logbook to add your names to when they are discovered. There are varying degrees
of difficulty which suit different ages and it is also completely free to join
up online.
Build a den
Explore your own back garden or local park like never before by hunting for
nature’s own building tools. Using what you find, work together to build your
very own outdoor den. Learning to be resourceful and look differently at
everyday objects helps children (and adults) to think outside the box. As well
as developing creativity, den-building enhances problem-solving skills and
communication between the family.
Studies have shown that team-building tasks improve communication and
strengthen relationships between those taking part, as you work together
towards a common project you can all be proud of.
Explore the forest
To enjoy the benefits of being in the wooded outdoors during a fun family day
out, you can enjoy a whole host of exciting events from The Forestry
Commission. They run experiences in forests across the UK, featuring
everything from walking treks and cycling opportunities to live theatre and
immersive poetry adventures.
Get gardening
Why not have a go at growing your own herbs or vegetables? There are plenty of
easy options if you’re not naturally green-fingered and you could try from the
comfort of your back-garden or by volunteering at your local allotment.
Eating your own crops not only allows you to get involved with nature but also
to be kinder to it, by being more self-sustaining as a family. Studies
show that gardening projects can produce a range of positive health
effects associated with being outdoors, as well as the benefits of healthier,
more sustainable eating.
For children, gardening can improve sensory development as well as teaching
them how to be responsible and patient. By taking care of their plants,
children can watch their hard work pay off as they grow into tasty vegetables
which they might even be excited to eat.
Reconnect with nature (and each other)
Taking a
welcome break from technology and busy day-to-day life may be the perfect
opportunity to really live in the here and now and connect as a family. The
Wildlife Trusts list a range of outdoor activity ideas for their numerous
reserves across the country. You could bird-watch and pond-dip as well as
climb trees and even star-gaze to truly kick-start your outdoor adventure.
With a whole array of mindful and psychical benefits to exploring the great outdoors and spending time together, summer is your perfect opportunity to reconnect and have fun as a family again.
www.healthywholeme.com/10-creative-summer-holiday-activities-to-boost-your-families-wellbeing/
Practice self-care. Teaching children the important
practice of self care is vital for their development and a great building block
for their adult life too. Learn to give your body and mind what it needs as
often as possible.
Get talking. A weekly family meeting brings
many benefits. Set a time and arrange a place for your family to gather. No
phones or other gadgets allowed. No TV either. You can either set a topic that
you would like to discuss (like the next family holiday or which rewards chart
you want to get started) or allow anything to come up. You could start by
asking everyone to tell each other how their week has been so far. Practice
listening and teach your child not to interrupt either. It is a very powerful
experience when you actually feel listened too.
Get into geocaching. Everyone loves a scavenger hunt. You can choose from easy to tricky and you can even choose how long you want to be on the hunt for. It’s like your very own treasure hunt and such a great way to get little ones walking much further than you would have ever imagined!
Make ‘cool stuff’. Can we make a – please? dadcando.com is
a great site full of crafty ideas that brings adults and kids together spending
quality time. From paper planes to dream catchers to quirky things, it offers
ideas of how to make stuff out of mostly inexpensive or recycled materials.
Bake. Whipping up treats in the kitchen can do more
than just create yummy comfort food. In fact, by setting some time aside baking
can have a positive effect on your and your child’s relationship too. Smaller
children can learn to measure out ingredients, older children can take charge
of almost everything. By enjoying the end result (which is hopefully tasty!) it
will leave you feeling super satisfied; emotionally and physically. But watch
the sugar – how about making healthy versions of your favourite treats? Try my chocolate brownies!
Discuss goals. With hopefully a little more
time at hand and longer summer evenings to be enjoyed it can be lovely to talk
with your child about their goals and dreams. Allow your child to dream big!
Then set a realistic goal which your child can achieve over the holidays. It
can be as little or big as appropriate. From drawing a picture for each family
member to learning a new skill like roller blading. Setting a goal, working
towards it and achieving to meet it is an empowering and positive experience.
Try forest bathing. Most of us are aware that
spending time in nature helps us to de-stress. A walk on the beach or a stroll
in the countryside can make us feel so much better. But do we know why? The
practice of ‘forest bathing’ is scientifically proven to improve your health.
Forest bathing—basically just being in the presence of trees. So go outside,
surround yourself by trees and improve your immune function!
Have a go at something new. Discuss with your child what it
is that you could try out that is new to you both. Pick something age and
budget-appropriate. This does not need to be a bungee-jump! You could order
some clay and try yourself at making a vase. Try out a new healthy recipe,
which you could let your child pick out of a magazine. Or head to your nearest
car boot sale and have a go at selling some old toys.
Go on an adventure. Without booking a holiday. Turn
a normal day into an exciting adventure and see if you can take a train, a bus
and a boat to get to your destination. We often go somewhere for a day out, may
it be a zoo, a museum or a restaurant. But why not turn the ‘getting there’
into an adventure in itself? The journey is the destination…
And if there is water in sight! Take a plunge!
