School Holiday Survival: a Wellbeing Guide!

As six weeks of summer holidays stretch before us, millions of parents are faced with a juggling act of managing work and childcare, with apparently no time to focus on their own wellbeing.

Contrary to our cultural mantra, making time for one's own sanity is not selfish or self-indulgent; it's a simple necessity, for yourself, your kids, and everyone around you. Have you tried to be compassionate and patient when you are feeling tired and stressed? It's almost impossible (or is that just us?!).

For most of us, this is the' best' time of year: long days, a splattering of sunshine, time to be out and about and drink in summer smells and warmth.

However, reality can be less golden: research shows two-thirds of parents think going on holidays with their kids is more stressful than being at work.

So here are a few suggestions for keeping your sanity – and therefore helping to keep others' equilibrium – intact over the summer holidays:

Meditate - Get up 20 minutes earlier (before the kids are up), go to bed 20 minutes later, or watch 20 minutes' less TV a day. Use this precious time for some restoring meditation. We highly recommend Tara Brach's free guided meditations for some seriously relaxing bed-time (or any time!) downtime. Also brilliant if you are unable to sleep.

Twist - Take five minutes out of your schedule to lie down and take a twist! Twists can be tremendously tension-relieving, both mentally and physically. Bring your knees to your chest, and extend your arms out to a T-shape, palms facing up. On an exhale, keeping your legs close to your body, bring your knees down to the floor on the right-hand side. Relax your legs, shoulders, whole body, completely, and look over towards your left hand. Take as many breaths here as you have time for, before carefully bringing your knees back to your chest and repeating on the other side.

Go outside - Savour these long evenings: eat al fresco, or take a walk in the park without the kids. If that's not practical, sit down on a bench while you watch the kids play, taking time to drop into your senses, and notice the colours of the sky, sights, smells, summer warmth. Breathe.

Make time for yourself Remember to keep your downtime simple, and to allow yourself the space. It's amazing what a difference a few minutes' out can make to how you feel, and therefore how you interact with those close to you. Above all, make your own time an absolute priority, otherwise it won't happen.

To finish with food for thought: if you can, book onto a day or weekend retreat, travelling solo.