Student Wellbeing

School Holidays: The Importance of Rest and Relaxation

School holidays offer children a valuable opportunity to step away from the busyness of school life and enjoy slower days filled with play, exploration, and family time. While many parents work hard to plan activities and outings, it’s just as important to remember the value of rest and relaxation during this break.

📌 Rest is not a luxury – it’s essential for children’s wellbeing.

Dr Daniel Siegel, who developed The Healthy Mind Platter, identifies seven essential daily activities for a balanced and healthy life. One of these is downtime, unstructured time when the brain and body can rest, recharge, and reset.

Downtime is particularly important during the holidays, as it allows children to recover from the demands of the school term. Research shows that rest and relaxation help children regulate their emotions, lower stress levels, improve memory, and strengthen overall wellbeing.

🌿 Downtime helps children regulate emotions, reduce stress, and spark creativity.

There are many benefits to prioritising rest and relaxation, including:

• Reduced stress – Too much stress can negatively affect both physical and mental health. Downtime provides children with space to feel calm and supported.
• Better sleep – Children who enjoy regular downtime during the day are more likely to settle at night and get the quality sleep they need.
• Boosted creativity – Free, unstructured time allows children’s imaginations to flourish and supports problem-solving and creative thinking.

Of course, engaging and stimulating activities are an important part of the holidays too but balance is key. By making sure rest and relaxation are part of your holiday plans, you can help your children return to school feeling refreshed, recharged, and ready to learn.

💡 Balance is key: children need both adventure and quiet moments to thrive.