At times like the summer, when you are supposed to be having fun, be free, and outside enjoying yourselves more, some days can be tough to navigate. Whether it’s the upcoming UK General Election, impending exam results, or the pressures of routine commitments, life has its challenges.
If you can, planning new, engaging, and entertaining activities, trips, or experiences together can be a great opportunity to support a young person in your care who might be struggling with anxiety, feelings of loneliness, and other underlying issues.
Whether you’re a parent, employer, or caregiver, this article explores the value to teenagers and young adults’ mental health in sharing different events, sports, and adventures.
Sharing activities and trips together
During the summer, or at any time of year, signing younger people up for inclusive sports camps or new activities can boost mental health and general physical well being. If you’re financially able to, arranging and trying out new experiences with teenagers and young adults can be positive. Whether it’s music, photography, creating art, or something active on an adventurous day out, shared experiences can strengthen relationships, expand social circles, and open up valuable lines of communication.
Your time together might be anything from a simple shopping excursion to the supermarket to a few hours of gardening at home. Sharing an activity together, even for a few hours, is enough time for you and a young person you’re caring for to focus on the present moment and discuss any emotional worries they might have. You don’t have to plan anything grand either.
Summer socialising can be tough
While summer holidays can be an exciting time with lots of free time, for some it can be one of the hardest seasons and trigger feelings of anxiety and loneliness. This can be applicable to younger people who are used to a routine of regularly seeing friends at school or college. If someone is already on their own, it can be difficult to see images or adverts of others enjoying themselves with friends or family on holiday. It might also include constantly seeing multiple posts on social channels that exacerbate their loneliness.
If you live with or know someone with mobility issues or an illness, they might struggle to go outside in the summer months which can be more challenging. If you can, support people to access and attend inclusive and active summer camps, fetes, or family celebrations. Likewise, engaging in variations of traditional sports and games that are inclusive offer equally valuable opportunities to strengthen ties and offer support especially to anyone who might be struggling.
In light of this, as a parent, guardian, or friend, it’s important to be mindful of others during the holidays. If you have the option to, include those who might not be going anywhere on their own, or encourage them to engage in new activities, welcome them on trips away, and let them know about any events they are invited to. Involving youngsters in your care can significantly improve interpersonal relationships, and highlight those who might need emotional support and help.
Enjoying quality time without devices
In an age dominated by digital distractions and busy schedules, time away from daily routines and from screens can be healthy for you and everyone around you. Whether it’s a deliberate digital detox, or an unplanned one, the benefits to mental health from having time away from screens are well-documented and can improve sleep, reduce stress, and enhance personal relationships.
Allowing yourself a break from tech will lead to more meaningful time spent together to be ‘in the present’ and there for someone. With this in mind, if you are planning a unique experience, consider a technology-free event or activity where you agree to disconnect from technology.
An increasing desire to have a digital detox has seen a growth in retreats that encourage people to disconnect and reconnect with nature. Without the distraction of constant texting and looking at your phone, you’ll have more of an opportunity to listen, engage, and talk to each other about any shared concerns or worries that might be on your minds.
Improving communication can help
Spending time together doing activities or on extended trips in new environments, encourages more open and relaxed communication. Away from the pressures of daily life, both parties may feel more comfortable sharing thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Facing new challenges can also build mutual trust and understanding.
Young people may see their caregivers in a different light, appreciating their positive support and kindness as well as feeling reassured that someone is there for them to guide them through unfamiliar or stressful situations. Inside jokes, funny moments, and overcoming obstacles together all contribute to stronger personal and trusting relationships.
Furthermore, time away from daily routines can reduce stress levels. If a person’s family has moved house, or is going through another major life change, such as a bereavement, a relationship breakup, or job loss, then a break from their routine can improve mental health.
Enjoying shared experiences is healthy
Shared experiences allow both adults and young people to break free from everyday stressors, focus on each other without distractions, create lasting memories, develop stronger bonds, and explore new environments together. The type of activity, experience, and trip you choose to do might depend on their interests, health, a budget, and can have practical considerations, but ideas include:
- Signing up for nature adventures, such as camping trips, walking excursions, or visits to national parks can be excellent ways to bond and appreciate nature.
- Visiting museums, art galleries, or historical sites, can broaden horizons and spark interesting discussions.
- Volunteering makes a positive impact on young people and can be a powerful way to support young people and your local community.
- Planning a trip around a shared sporting interest can be exciting. You might be inspired to sign up for a fundraiser or challenge.
- Attending a local event that has been organised to raise the profile of mental health support is a good way to meet people and find support if needed.
When organising an activity, enjoying an away-day or holiday together and going off on a new adventure that helps to break up a young person’s routine in the summer can be mentally and physically healthy.
However, supporting their mental health and signposting them to help is the priority. Whatever shared experiences you have in mind, take the time to talk through any current worries or concerns. The value of any plans or trips, therefore, lies not in the destination or activities but in the quality of time spent together.
