This past year has been challenging, to say the least, for parents and teens alike. If your 2020 and early 2021 were rough, know that you are not alone.
From navigating working from home and online school to dealing with loss and social isolation during quarantine, this year has certainly taken a toll on the physical and mental health of hundreds of thousands of people across the nation.
Getting through this year was not easy, and that’s why it is especially important for people to be kind to themselves and practice self-care this summer.
As a growing number of people get vaccinated and different businesses and activities begin to open up again, you and your teen should take the opportunity to treat yourselves to a fun summer filled with things you love.
Here are 7 tips to help you plan a summer that will re-instill hope and joy after a long year:
1. Get outside everyday
Nothing says summer like fresh outside air. Spending time outside in the sun will increase your serotonin and vitamin d levels, which will help boost your mood. After spending so much time cooped up for online school, remote work, and quarantine, both you and your teen could probably use the energy and positivity that comes from taking in sunlight and the great outdoors.
Plan different activities that you can do outside each day like riding bikes together, going on a walk or a jog, or practicing yoga. You’d be surprised what a bit of summer’s air can do for your mental health.
2. Try something new
This summer, find something new for you and your teen to experience together. Whether you want to eat at a new restaurant, visit a museum you’ve never been to before, or take a class together that will help you learn a new skill, trying a new activity together will help you form unforgettable memories and forge a strong bond and connection with each other.
Trying something new will give you something to look forward to that is exciting and fun, and it will give you a much needed break from the monotony of this past year.
3. Keep a gratitude journal
Writing down what you are grateful for each day can go a long way toward supporting your mental health. Try adopting this habit with your teen so that the two of you can express gratitude and improve your mental health together.
4. Eat a meal together
In the summer, many teens fall into the habit of sleeping in past breakfast or eating at unconventional times. While summer can be a busy time for everyone, try your best to eat at least one meal together with your teen.
This can provide time to catch up with one another, laugh, and share stories each day, strengthening your bond and allowing you to release the stress from your work day.
5. Don’t be afraid to relax
Do not feel like you and your teen have to be productive each and every day. It’s okay to have days where your only plan is to unwind and relax by watching movies, reading books, sunbathing by the pool, or binge-watching a tv show. Try having an at-home spa day or spending the day coming up with a fun summer playlist to listen to during the week.
These “unproductive” days will help you feel refreshed and rejuvenated, which is especially important after this trying year.
6. Create a summer bucket list
All too often, parents and teens have several ideas for what they would like to do during the summer, only for the months to fly by without them doing any of these things at all.
Avoid letting the summer slip past without doing anything eventful by coming up with a summer bucket list with your teen. Sit down with your teen and come up with 10 or 15 activities that you want to do together this summer, big or small. Post the list in a prominent place where you are both sure to see it each day, and make plans to cross off as many activities on the list as possible before the summer ends.
7. Explore your community
With all of the hustle and bustle of work and school, it can be hard to find time to participate in events and activities your city has to offer.
Make a plan to spend time exploring your community:
Join your community garden
Eat at restaurants you haven’t tried before
Walk around and shop downtown
Visit your local farmer’s market
Attend an outdoor concert or festival in your community
These activities will help the two of you feel more connected to your community and the people around you, which is likely just what you need after several months of feeling isolated from others.
With these seven tips in mind, you can have an incredible summer that will help you move on from the hardships of the past year.