Summer break is undoubtedly a time for relaxation and recharging after a busy school year. However, this time of year can also bring about stress and challenges. While staff will also take some much-deserved time off over summer break, IUSD offers a variety of resources to help support our students and families during the summer season with a focus on community connections and mental health and wellness.
Health and Wellness Tips
In the hustle and bustle of summer activities, it's easy to overlook our mental and emotional well-being. However, just as we prioritize our physical health, it's equally important to nurture our mental health during this time of relaxation and adventure. As the sun shines brighter and the days grow longer, we encourage you to keep in mind the tips below to ensure a summer filled with not just fun, but also mindfulness and wellness.
- Stay Connected: Humans are social beings and we need to feel a sense of connection and community, this is a critical part of maintaining our wellness. Social connection is good for mental and physical health. When kids and teens have social connections, they can feel cared for, listened to and understood, according to Nemours Children's Health. If you are unable to spend time in person, try connecting over a phone call, video call, text or email. To learn more about summer classes and activities offered by the City of Irvine and the Irvine Public Schools Foundation, click here.
- Regular Exercise: Physical activity has many benefits for both your physical and mental well-being. It is one of the most important things you can do to maintain your health. Whether you spend 15 minutes a day walking, an hour biking, or engaging in a team sport, any kind of physical activity will contribute to improved mood and wellness.
- Healthy Eating: A well-balanced diet is essential for proper nourishment and wellness. Choosing healthy foods rich in fiber, fruits and vegetables, good carbs and lean proteins will result in improved mood and performance.
- Unplug and Limit Blue Light: It’s tempting for many students to spend their free time on mobile and other devices, connecting with friends but they should also limit blue light, which is emitted off of our phones and computer screens and stimulates the brain. Looking at screens before bed disturbs sleep and results in poor rest and decreased health and wellness. Practice putting devices away one hour before bed and replace that time with reading a book or getting to bed an hour earlier. This practice will significantly improve one’s mental and physical health. Encourage children and teens to unplug and get outside or connect with family and friends.
- Self-Care: Self-care is a broad term meaning to take some time for yourself or partake in an activity that makes you feel good, especially during times of stress. Self-care can also come in the form of forgiving yourself or putting yourself first. Overall, self-care is the practice of taking an active role in protecting one’s own happiness.
- Positive Self-Talk: Self-talk is one’s internal dialogue. The subconscious mind influences it, and it reveals our thoughts, beliefs, questions and ideas. Practicing positive self-talk can enhance one’s self-concept and overall outlook.
IUSD Resources
If needed this summer break, please visit our Mental Health and Counseling web pages. Both sites provide mental health and wellness resources and links to community services, including:
- Care Solace, a free and confidential service that connects families to outside mental health services.
- Hazel Health, a behavioral telehealth provider available to all K-12 IUSD students at no cost to families.
- Speak Up, We Care, a campaign as part of IUSD’s commitment to building positive mental health and wellness.
- Say Something Anonymous Reporting System, the system that enables students to seek support anonymously for themselves or friends.
Community Resources
The City of Irvine and the Irvine Public Schools Foundation (IPSF) also provide valuable resources to support families during the summer. The city offers services through Childcare and Development. Explore classes and activities through Inside Irvine and discover the various camps available. IPSF offers 400+ classes to choose from, where students can dive into passions, explore new interests and gear up for the next school year.
We encourage families to take a moment to learn more about how IUSD supports our students, review the various community resources, and learn about our dedicated team by visiting our Mental Health and Wellness page.