Student Wellbeing

Holidays can be really fun and great to have a break but we also recognise it can be challenging. Without routine, it's still important to stay healthy and look after yourself.

For some young people, this time of year can be difficult. It can feel as though you've been taken away from your usual routine of school and you might not get to see your friends as much as you would like.

This can leave you feeling bored, unsupported, upset and sometimes anxious.

It’s important to stay healthy and look after yourself. There are several ways to help you do this.

‘Headspace’ has suggested the following tips:

Eating well – it’s important to have a good balanced diet with lots of veggies, fruit, whole grains, and water. Less of the sugar and junk food. This can also help with better sleep, happy thoughts and energy and wellbeing.

Sleep well – Developing a sleep routine that involves going to bed around the same time each night, and waking in the morning at the same time each day. Evidence has shown that teenagers need between 8-10 hours sleep to function best. As lack of sleep affects our thinking, mood, even food choices.

Be socially active and get involved – Social relationships are very important. Spending time with people and connecting with them face to face is vital for general wellbeing and for keeping and building existing relationships. Getting involved with your wider community through clubs, hobbies, volunteer work or sport is a great way to feel connected to your community and to make new friends.

Play – Devoting time to just having fun can recharge your battery, revitalise your social networks and reduce stress and anxiety.

If you are requiring further support during the holidays see below for school holiday supports:

headspace centres provide support, information and advice to young people aged 12 to 25 – https://headspace.org.au/
eheadspace provides online counselling and telephone support to young people aged 12 to 25 – https://headspace.org.au/eheadspace/ and 1800 650 890
Kids Helpline is a 24-hour telephone and online counselling service for young people aged 5 to 25 – https://kidshelpline.com.au/ and 1800 55 1800
Lifeline is a 24-hour telephone counselling service – https://www.lifeline.org.au/ and 13 11 14
Parentline 1300 301 300
ReachOut https://au.reachout.com/ for information about well-being.

Gabrielle Nagle

School Nurse