Looking After Your Wellbeing During the Summer Holiday Juggle: Tips for Parents

Summer holidays can be fun, but let's be honest: they can also be a whirlwind of activity and stress. Knowing you have 6 weeks to juggle work, childcare and enjoyment can be overwhelming and leave us asking ‘how am I going to cope?!’ One thing I want you to remember is that your wellbeing is just as important as your child's. If you’re not looking after yourself, then looking after little ones becomes harder, tempers get frayed more easily and out comes shouty mum. Here are some ways I'm planning to manage the summer holidays to stay well and enjoy the summer to its fullest.

1. Prioritise Self-Care

You’ve heard it a million times, but we all need reminding… self-care isn't selfish; it's essential. As parents, we often put our children's needs first, but you can't pour from an empty cup. I'll be taking time each day for myself. Sometimes they’ll have to be quick quiet moments and that’s OK, but the priority is I’ll do something for me everyday, whether it's cup of tea outside in the morning, a quick workout, or reading a few pages of my favorite book. Remember, taking care of yourself helps you take better care of your family.

2. Slow Down

Instead of over-scheduling our days, I'm planning to slow down and embrace a more relaxed pace. No packed lunch to make every day, woohoo! I know it’s tempting, and having some plans can really help with that feeling of 6 weeks rolling out infront of you, but I’m going to try not to fill every minute with activities, too many plans always has me feeling overwhelmed and anxious. Instead we can savour lazy mornings, garden picnics, and unstructured playtime. It's about quality, not quantity, and leaving room for spontaneity and rest.

3. Incorporate Daily Hypnotherapy Sessions

As a solution-focused hypnotherapist, I can't emphasise enough the importance of maintaining your hypnotherapy routine, especially during busy times like summer holidays. It’s really easy to forget the little things like this and then wonder why you’re feeling anxious or more stressed. I'll be listening to my hypnotherapy audio each night to help calm my mind, reduce stress, and improve overall wellbeing. Make it a non-negotiable part of your nightly routine, like brushing your teeth.

4. Stay Active

Physical activity is a great way to boost mood and energy levels. Whether it's a family walk, a swim, or a cosmic yoga session in front of the telly, I’ll try to always add movement into our day. Exercise releases endorphins, which are natural mood lifters, and it's a fun way to spend quality time together. When things start to feel a bit stressful or overwhelming, try some movement, either get out the house for a walk or try a kitchen disco to help change up how you’re feeling.

5. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness can be a powerful tool to manage stress and stay present. Simple practices like deep breathing, short meditation sessions, or even mindful walking can help keep us grounded. When I feel overwhelmed, I'll take a moment to breathe deeply and focus on the present moment. Being mindful and focusing on the present rather than the future or the past really helps me keep anxiety at bay.

6. Embrace Imperfection

Summer holidays are about fun and connection, not perfection. My aim is to let go of the need for everything to be just right and embrace the mess, the noise, and the unpredictability. Everything doesn’t have to be insta perfect, and you can guarantee that behind all the perfect social media posts there’s been a child or adult having a meltdown at some point! I’m avoiding comparison and reminding myself that my little boy will remember the laughter and love more than a perfectly posed day.

7. Connect with Nature

Spending time outdoors is so good for us. Nature has a calming effect on the mind and body. If the weather finally plays ball I plan to get out in nature as much as possible. Fresh air and sunshine can do wonders for mood and energy and a trip to my local park is free so I’ll hopefully be saving some pennies too, until I get talked into buying ice creams!

8. Stay Connected with Your Support Network

I’m lucky to have friends and family close by who I can connect and share with. Sharing experiences, frustrations, and joys with others who understand can be incredibly comforting. Sometimes, just knowing you're not alone can make a big difference! If you’re struggling to find your village try looking on local Facebook groups or the Peanut app.

Which of these are you going to try? I hope there are some ideas here that can help make your summer more enjoyable and less overwhelming for you. Don’t forget to ask yourself what you need and want from this summer, you deserve to have a relaxed and nourishing time as much as your children.

If you need more personalised support, feel free to reach out. Your wellbeing is important, and together we can make this summer your best one yet.

Jo x