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Summer holidays: Simple ways to enjoy the season
Summer holidays in Australia are a special time but they can also be a very stressful one. There are a lot of extra costs, a lot of time to fill, and (for those with kids) a lot of boredom to stave off!
The Salvos Moneycare team hears you and wants to help you discover your happy place these holidays. The following tips can help ease the pressure and make space for what matters most.
Activity: Put your concerns in writing
As a first step, we encourage you to write down any pressures that you feel or have felt during the summer holidays – money, time or expectations. Doing this not only helps reduce your mental load but allows you to see your concerns more clearly.
What are some of the pressures you feel during the summer holidays?
Tips for joy-filled summer holidays
1. Keep it simple
Resist the temptation to pack out your holidays, leave space in your schedule for relaxing and spending time with loved ones. Work out which activities are helpful and which ones to let go.
2. Limit screen time
Screens can be entertaining, but too much online time can leave us feeling flat. Set reasonable limitations, like a 60-minute limitation on screen time in the morning or no screen use between 9am and 4pm.
3. Socialise
Connect with friends and family members. Arrange outings like a walk in the park, a house visit, or a barbecue — there are so many options in summer!
4. It’s alright to ‘just be’
Don’t feel the need to always be doing things and entertaining yourself — it can be great to just allow time and space for rest! This restful time can also allow for opportunities to explore and be creative.
5. Plan a staycation
Save on travel expenses by enjoying your hometown like a tourist for a day. Research to see any free events or activities in your local area that you can enjoy.
After the holidays...
We recommend taking stock of what brought you joy and recharged you during these holidays, and how you can bring some of those into the upcoming year.
Activity:
- What brought you joy over the holidays?
- What recharged you?
- How could you bring those things into the New Year?
Start thinking and planning for the next one!
Research has shown that a large part of the happiness you get out of a holiday is in the anticipation. Now is the time to start setting aside money for the next one!
We hope these suggestions help to turn down the heat on your summer holiday stress. Small changes in mindset and simple habits can make a big difference — not just during the holidays but all year round.
Our Moneycare financial counsellors are available year-round to help you manage your finances. You can get reach us via live chat or call 1800 722 363.
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