#SchoolPR Insights Blog

For most students and educators, summer means they get a well-deserved break from school. The summer months are devoted to rest and relaxation, with thoughts of grading papers and completing assignments left far in the past. Summer break doesn’t last forever—are your school members using it to relax and recuperate effectively?

Encourage students, educators and staff to make this the summer of social-emotional wellness. Then, carry those wellness habits into the fall!

Summer reminds us to prioritize wellness

Students and educators work incredibly hard all throughout the school year. Students are focused on their classes and extracurricular activities, while educators are focused on their lesson plans and professional development courses. Their schedules are so packed, there’s little time left over to nurture their mental health and wellness.

With school out of session, summer presents itself as a great opportunity to recharge and practice a healthy, balanced lifestyle. Summer is the season of camping trips and beach vacations. It’s the season of soaking up the sun and spending time with loved ones. It’s that time of year when students and educators feel like they can finally breathe.

Here’s how relaxation and wellness can benefit your school community:

• Start the school year with renewed energy: Summer allows students and educators to hit the reset button. Making time to relax is essential for starting every academic year on the right foot. By engaging in relaxation activities, students and educators can experience the joys of life beyond a school setting. This will help them feel energized and ready to tackle another year. Encourage your school members to make summer break exactly what it is—a break!
• Perform better in work and academics: Relaxation is just as important as working or studying. It’s what allows students and educators to give their best effort and achieve their fullest potential. Taking a well-deserved break can boost focus, improve memory and reduce the risk of burnout once school starts back up again. Relaxing now sets up your school community for success later in the year.
• Increase overall happiness and quality of life: Relaxation isn’t just for the summer. Everyone needs little moments of rest in their day-to-day life, especially once school begins in the fall. Summer vacation shows students and educators how great it feels to take care of themselves physically, mentally and emotionally. It teaches them that having fun is more than an indulgence—it’s necessary for their wellbeing, and it’s a way of life they can practice all year round.

Simple ways to practice rest and relaxation

The great thing about relaxation is you can practice it anywhere. Members of your school community don’t have to go on a cruise, drive to the coast or plan elaborate vacations to reap the benefits of taking a break from school. There are plenty of relaxation techniques that students and educators can practice anytime, anywhere. Many of these techniques only take a few minutes, which makes it easy to build them into a person’s daily routine.

Encourage your school community to try some of these rest and relaxation techniques:

• Journaling: Daily journaling is an effective form of stress relief that can boost your mood, clear your head and help you become more present. Those who are interested in journaling should set a consistent time each day, whether it’s first thing in the morning or right before going to bed. There are guided journaling books available, as well as child-focused activities that promote self-awareness and emotional intelligence.
• Mindfulness: Practicing mindfulness can dispel worrisome thoughts and help you connect with the present moment. Mindfulness can involve engaging the five senses, focusing on a physical task or talking to a loved one. The beauty of mindfulness is that there’s no skill involved, and people of all ages can practice it. From Pre-K students to superintendents, everyone can benefit from being more mindful!
• Daily walks: Much like mindfulness, going for a walk is something people can do anywhere. Even students and educators with mobility challenges can feel more relaxed just by sitting in nature and enjoying the fresh air. Time spent outdoors has proven mental health benefits, including stress relief and elevated mood. A quick walk around the block is enough to release endorphins, which increases energy and feelings of happiness. Encourage school members to go for walks with their friends and families to add in that social component.
• Little moments: As mentioned before, students and educators don’t have to embark on extravagant, week-long vacations to boost their mental wellbeing. Happiness is the sum of all the little moments that happen day to day, whether that’s reading a great book, sitting on the front porch or playing catch in the yard. Find pockets of free time throughout the day to do something you enjoy, no matter how small.

Social activities to enrich your summer break

Wellness doesn’t have to be a solo activity. Spending quality time with loved ones can improve social-emotional wellness by nurturing positive relationships and taking a break from the stressors of life. For students and educators, summer usually means more free time, giving them the opportunity to connect with friends or even meet new ones.

Below are some enriching social activities to share with your school community:

• Join a fitness program: Community members can stay active and broaden their social circles by meeting people who share the same interests. Healthy ways to socialize this summer include signing up for yoga, dance, martial arts or swim lessons, and joining a local baseball, volleyball or soccer league. The best part is, these activities are available for many different age ranges, making them great options for students and educators alike.
• Schedule regular meetups: It’s easy for someone to get swept up in their own schedule. Prioritizing meetups with friends and family allows community members to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle outside of school obligations. Educators and staff may enjoy weekly coffee chats, going out to a restaurant or visiting a relative’s house. Students can benefit from weekly play dates, going to the park with friends or swimming at the pool. Consistency is key for nurturing relationships and boosting social-emotional wellness.
• Explore the great outdoors: Summer is the perfect time to enjoy nature. And what better way to enjoy nature than to plan an exciting trip with loved ones? Spending time outdoors can involve anything from riding bikes around the neighborhood to hiking through the mountains. See what your friends and family like to do outside, whether that’s swimming, fishing, boating or camping.
• Meet people through clubs: Chances are, your local community has clubs and programs that appeal to many different interests. Joining one of these clubs can help build social skills and promote wellness by exploring hobbies you enjoy. Students can explore arts and crafts, Lego building and other group activities that encourage them to learn in fun ways. Educators and staff may find enjoyment through book clubs or volunteering for a nature conservation program.

Make wellness a year-round lifestyle

Summer offers a break from teaching and studying. However, summer isn’t the only time your community members can indulge in some relaxation. Wellness is a lifestyle anyone can enjoy year-round. Even on the busiest school days, students, educators and staff are encouraged to take regular wellness breaks. Bring that feeling of summer bliss into the next school year!