Today’s blog was written by Rachel Howard, Assistant Psychologist and Dr Ellie Atkins, Consultant Clinical Psychologist at Headspace Guildford.
Headspace Guildford have recently posted a blog discussing endings and transitions. Today’s post will give you some ideas about how to spend your time before the next big adventure/challenge.
How did you spend your time last summer? How do you want to spend your time this summer?
Now that universities and schools have broken up we find ourselves experiencing a lot less demands. No more homework, we can now sleep in and we can spend our days doing what we want to do. This can be a great time to rest and re-set.
However it can also be a time where we experience a bit of a slump. This can be because the summer term and perhaps the whole academic year, demanded a lot of our energy and now we’re a little burnt out. It can also be because a reduction in activity or a significant change to our sleeping and waking cycle can make us feel low. We know that changes, lack of social contact and lack of a routine all have the potential to have a detrimental impact on our mental health. So we need to think about how we can both rest and re-set, and maintain enough structure and activities to give ourselves the stimulation we need to stay well.
We know that scheduling, pleasurable activities and distractions can have a positive impact on our mental health so it’s worth giving them a try. A routine can bring about a more productive and fulfilling summer and better sleeping habits and exercise will be good for us physically and mentally. This routine can be relaxed, and can help us take care of ourselves and feel more accomplished, which can feel really good. For this reason, this blog will give you a few ideas about how you can fill your time this summer.
What to do this summer:
- Crafting
- cross stitch
- candlestick decorating (note: paint on candlesticks with wax – this will allow the candle to burn safely, normal paints can be be flammable)
- needle felting
- drawing/painting/colouring
- Make your own wax melts/candles
- Cooking and baking (this can be particularly useful for those who may be going off to university soon)
- Make a reading list
- Visit your local library and see what they have going on
- Sports
- continue with sports you enjoy,
- challenge yourself by learning something new,
- Volunteer
- charity shop
- local community centres
- Online courses
- free government Level 2 and 3 online course (spanning between 6-12 months long, but can be done quicker)
- Learn sign language online
- Learn a language via mobile apps (Duolingo)
- Meet up with friends and family
- Get a part-time job – earn a bit of cash and add experience to your CV
- Summer school
- Newspaper round
- Retail worker
- Tutoring
- Barista or waiter/waitress
- Local supermarket
- Learn a new hard skill
- Coding
- Graphic design
- Computer literacy
- Writing
- Leadership
- Plan day outs
- Do to the beach
- Go to the cinema
- Go to an activity centre
In particular, make sure you have some nice things planned around result week. This can be an exciting and nerve-racking time. For those who will be receiving GCSE results on the 24th August, we will be thinking of you! For those receiving A Level results on the 18th August, we will be thinking of you too! (See our recent posts ‘Our Guide to Coping with Stress’ (https://headspaceguildford.co.uk/our-guide-to-coping-with-stress/) and ‘The end of one chapter and the start of another’ (https://headspaceguildford.co.uk/elementor-2470/) for advice on managing stress, positive self-talk and self-care).
You may find on this list an activity that brings you entertainment and joy. You may also find some things on this list do not. That is okay, we all have different interests, hobbies and preferences. This list gives you a few starting ideas but there are many other fun activities you can fill your summer doing! The key thing is to aim for a balance between your bed/the sofa, computer gaming/youtubing/messaging friends and activities that get you up and about, seeing people face to face and doing things you love.
My final take home message to you this summer would be:
- Keep a relaxed routine, especially making sure you get enough sleep and exercise
- Balance rest and relaxation with activity and social contact.
- Try and get out of the house every day – even if it’s just for a walk around the block
- Fill your time with things that bring you joy
- Set yourself goals about what you want to get done
Have a lovely rest of your summer!!!!