Wellbeing
Teenagers often look forward to the summer holidays and a break from the structure of school, its important they get that time to decompress. After a long year of academic pressure, social dynamics, and extra-curricular hobbies, having space to sleep in a little, slow down, and enjoy unstructured time is genuinely recharging. Giving them permission to rest without guilt helps their nervous system reset and supports their mental health heading into the new year.
At the same time, keeping a gentle routine can prevent the holidays from drifting into late nights, irregular meals, and sudden mood dips. A simple rhythm – like waking within the same one-hour window each day, having a consistent bedtime, helping with household tasks, or planning weekly activities – creates enough structure to keep them grounded while still offering the freedom they crave. Routines don’t have to be rigid, think of them as ‘anchors’ rather than strict schedules.
Screen time is often the hardest part to manage, especially when teens are home more and socialising online. Setting limits together (rather than strict rules) work well – talk with your teen about healthy boundaries, like building in tech-free blocks during the day or keeping phones out of the bedroom overnight. Encouraging alternatives also helps – beach days, cooking together, gym sessions, meeting friends for walks, part-time work, or hobbies they haven’t had time for during the school term can all reduce mindless scrolling without creating conflict.
As the holiday break winds down, preparation for the new school year can be woven in gradually. This might look like resetting sleep patterns a week or two before school returns, doing a gentle clean-out of their bedroom or study space, buying school supplies together, or chatting about goals and worries for the coming year. The aim is not to overwhelm them but to help them feel organised, confident and calm. When rest, routine, reduced screen time and slow preparation all come together, teenagers enter the new school year feeling far more balanced and ready to thrive.
Grounding activities can help teenagers when their mood is low, and they are also a good tool to be familiar with, they can be used when needed and help them feel more settled. Journaling is a great option – writing down or even drawing thoughts, making gratitude lists can also give their minds somewhere safe to put what they’re feeling. Other calming activities include, art, music, walks outside, spending time with pets, doing craft, games, reading, baking, making vision boards and organising their personal space. These low-pressure activities help regulate emotions and give them a sense of accomplishment.
Connection based activities can also lift their mood and reduce the sense of isolation that comes with long holidays. Ideas such as meeting a friend, planning a movie night, going to the gym, helping cook, or volunteering locally can bring joy. If energy is low, sitting in the sun, stretching, mindful breathing, or watching a comforting show can support their headspace. The goal isn’t to be busy – its to choose gentle, nourishing activities that help them feel lighter, supported, and ready to ease into the new school year.
There are also many support lines and websites that may be of help over the break, and something your young person may become familiar with when seeking support for their mental health, these are also good to look at together. We wish you all a safe and Merry Christmas, and look forward to supporting your young person in 2026.
Websites –
Headspace: www.headspace.org.su
Reach Out: www.au.reachout.com
Beyond Blue (youth): www.beyondblue.org.au
Kids HelpLine: www.kidshelpline.com.au
Phone Numbers –
Headspace: 1800 650 890
Reach Out: (02) 8029 7777
Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636
Kids HelpLine: 1800 55 1800
Casey Youth Services: (03) 9792 7279
Monash Health Youth Triage/Youth Services: 0434601300
In an emergency call 000
Wellbeing Team
St Peter's College