We aim to give food for thought as well
as inspiring your creativity and providing practical ideas you can’t wait to implement in your own settings!
We aim to give food for thought as well as inspiring your creativity and
providing practical ideas you can’t wait to implement in your own settings!
Be kind to yourself this summer
Are you guilty of knowing you really should look after yourself better, but ignoring your own needs? Do you put everybody else first?
If that sounds like you, then why not make the summer holidays a time for change?
We’ve put together a list of 20 activity suggestions guaranteed to be good for your heart and soul!
How many can you tick off the chart?
Can you do more than 10?
Can you reach 15?
We’ve left room for 4 of your own ideas too. Click here to download
1. Meet a friend for a coffee or drink
Maybe there’s someone you’ve been meaning to call for a while? Having a natter always helps (and if cake is included, even better!)
2. Binge watch a TV show
A lovely, indulgent thing to do. There are so many to choose from, so go on, wrap yourself up in a duvet and give yourself permission to lounge!
3. Read a book
Did you know that reading is brilliant for reducing stress levels?
Just 6 minutes in a day can reduce stress by more than 60%. Put the kettle on and disappear to another world for a while!
4. Write down 10 things you love about yourself.
This might seem like a tall order for those of us who spend a lot of time being self critical. But remember, the list is just for you and this type of activity has been shown to be very good for your self-esteem.
5. Buy yourself an indulgent magazine to read.
Whatever you’re interested in, there will be a magazine to cover it!
6. Try a new recipe.
It’s hard to experiment when work is so hectic, but now might be the time to bring your culinary skills to the fore and finally try one of those TicTok recipes that make everything look so good and easy!
7. Go for a walk in the countryside/by the sea.
Connect with nature and blow the cobwebs away
8. Dance to a song you love.
This seems to work well in the kitchen for some reason!
9. Draw or paint a picture.
You might simply pick up a pencil and get going, but for those who need a bit of guidance, there are many excellent online courses and a lot of them are free.
Alison | Free Online Courses & Online Learning
10. Have a games night with friends or family.
From Monopoly to Cards Against Humanity it’s easy to forget how much fun playing games can be. Just a couple of recommendations - Settlers of Catan is brilliant, if you have the budget. Taco, Cat, Goat, Cheese, Pizza is inexpensive, but great fun for all ages.
11. Do a form of exercise you enjoy.
Either find a class to go out to or search online for many free options.
12. Explore a town or village you haven’t been to before.
13. Have a long, relaxing bath (with candles!)
14. Visit a gallery, museum, or historic building.
15. Start a journal or scrapbook
Journalling is a bit like keeping a diary and is a wonderful hobby for anyone who wants to stretch their creative muscles.
“Writing in a journal gives you time to reflect on your day; to capture just a little essence of what you felt and why. With sticky tape and stamps and glue at my fingertips I’m lost for a few moments of purposeful play. It’s a way of squeezing a little bit of creativity into a busy life. And it is just so good for the soul.” Cath Chell.
16. Bake a cake.
17. Watch a film with popcorn. (Cinema or home)
18. Pamper yourself with a facemask, massage, pedicure or manicure.
19. Put on your favourite song and sing along (loudly!)
20. Listen to a podcast
EuHu has educational podcasts, but they’re not for now! Find a silly one and have a good laugh. Educating Daisy, hosted by Daisy May Cooper is great fun, as is RHLSTP, hosted by Richard Herring. He’s interviewed the likes of Stephen Fry, Eddie Izzard and Dawn French. But of course there are 1000s out there to suit all tastes!
