Whilst looking after your mental wellbeing is important all year round, the summer offers an opportunity to be proactive and find new ways to boost your and your family’s mental health. From enjoying the extra sunshine to trying something new, here are 5 tips to support your mental health this summer!
1. Keep in touch
Make time for quality time over the summer. School holidays may mean children are missing the friends they usually see every day and their normal school routine. Encourage zoom calls or meetups with school friends so they still get that social interaction.
Listen to our new podcast, Camp Chat! Chatting about all things camp with a variety of guests, the podcast is great for both current and prospective campers to hear about others’ camp experiences and feel more connected.
2. Soak up the sun
Many of us in the U.K don’t have enough Vitamin D, with 1 in 6 adults reporting low levels of Vitamin D in their blood. As the sun comes out again make the most of it by spending time outdoors – a vitamin deficiency and cold and wet weather can contribute to low mood. Avoid staying out in direct sunlight between 11am-3pm but otherwise have fun in the sun and absorb the rays! Don’t forget to always wear SPF 50+ suncream, cover up and wear a hat!
Summer is a great time to meet outside, so if you fancy a beach day or a long walk, invite your friends and family along too!
3. Start a garden or join a community garden
Even if you don’t have a green thumb, getting up close to nature has been proven to boost our mood. Adding flowers and shrubs to your outdoor space – even if you only have room for a pot plant – will make a difference. Plus, it gives you something nice to admire! Joining a local community garden will do the same but has the added benefit of getting you out of the house, meeting new people and feeling part of something bigger – all factors that contribute to self-esteem and general wellbeing.
Find a social farm/garden or gardening club and enjoy everything nature has to offer!
4. Have a picnic/meal outside
For the few months we can enjoy sitting outside, why not bring your meal with you? If you’re feeding children/young people too, it’s a great way of getting them outside and away from screens – even if it’s just for an hour! Sitting outside is a nice change of scene and may even prompt new conversations or discoveries when watching the wildlife around you.
5. Try a new sport or exercise
If you’re not prioritising exercise it may mean you’re not enjoying it! Take advantage of free local tennis courts, football pitches and running routes to try something new. Exercise can contribute to better quality of sleep, happier moods and help you manage stress and anxiety. Team sports or local sports clubs can help you meet others with similar interests, develop a new skill and build a regular exercise routine – all of which can contribute to a sense of belonging and purpose.
Mental health support
We hope these 5 tips to support your mental health are helpful! Try these tips out and see which stick – then you’ll know what works and what doesn’t. Use this to develop a wellbeing routine or checklist that you can refer to as and when you need it.
For further advice visit https://www.mind.org.uk/ and https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/ .
Read our other tips on children and young people’s mental wellbeing and how volunteering can boost your mental wellbeing too.
