School Holiday Survival: a Wellbeing Guide!

ESSEX, U.K. - Aug. 17, 2014 - PRLog -- Are you one of the million of parents faced with a juggling act of managing work and childcare - with little time to focus on your own wellbeing?

If so, then join the club, which is why wellbeing specialist Satvada Retreats has put together some ‘school holiday survival tips’, picked up from years of working in the wellbeing business.

“Research shows two-thirds of parents think going on holidays with their kids is more stressful than being at work,” says Satvada Retreat’s founder, yoga teacher and writer Lucia Cockcroft, who runs the yoga and mindfulness escapes in the UK and around the world.

“Contrary to our cultural mantra, making time for one's own sanity is not selfish or self-indulgent; it's a simple necessity, for yourself, your kids, and everyone around you. Have you tried to be compassionate and patient when you are feeling tired and stressed? It's almost impossible (or is that just us?!).”

So here are a few suggestions for keeping your sanity – and therefore helping to keep others' equilibrium – intact over the summer holidays:

* Meditate. Get up 20 minutes earlier (before the kids are up), go to bed 20 minutes later, or watch 20 minutes' less TV a day. Use this precious time for some restoring meditation. We highly recommend Tara Brach's free guided meditations (http://www.tarabrach.com/audioarchives-guided-meditations...) for some seriously relaxing bed-time (or any time!) downtime - also brilliant if you are unable to sleep.

* Twist. Take five minutes out of your schedule to lie down and take a twist! Twists can be tremendously tension-relieving, both mentally and physically. Lie down on the floor or a mat, and bring your knees to your chest. Extend your arms out to a T-shape, palms facing up. On an exhale, keeping your legs close to your body, bring your knees down to the floor on the right-hand side. Relax your legs, shoulders, whole body, completely, and look over towards your left hand. Take as many breaths here as you have time for, before carefully bringing your knees back to your chest and repeating on the other side.

* Go outside. Savour these long evenings: eat al fresco, or take a walk in the park without the kids. If that's not practical, sit down on a bench while you watch the kids play, taking time to drop into your senses, and notice the colours of the sky, sights, smells, summer warmth. Breathe.

* Make time for yourself. Remember to keep your downtime simple, and to allow yourself the space. It's amazing what a difference a few minutes out can make to how you feel, and therefore how you interact with those close to you. Above all, make your own time an absolute priority, otherwise it won't happen.

To finish with food for thought: take a look at our Summer Urban Retreats held just outside Chelmsford, over August 19 and 20 or our Marrakech Wellbeing Weekends in Morocco in September (26-29) and November (14-17).  We'd love to see you there.

With two yoga and meditation classes a day, a menu of super-fresh vegetarian cuisine and set in our favourite hand-picked riads (townhouses) in central Marrakech, yet sanctuaries of peace close to the Royal Palace Gardens, the wellbeing weekends will restore your equilibrium and teach you everything you need to know about the subtle art of relaxing.

See more at: http://www.satvada-retreats.co.uk/holiday-wellbeing-survival-tips

For press enquiries, please call Rebecca on 0203 695 2375 Ext 102 or email press@satvada-retreats.co.uk

Satvada Retreats (www.satvada-retreats.co.uk) runs nurturing, small group yoga and meditation escapes in Morocco and around the world. Hand-picked venues – including stunning Marrakech-centre Riads - are chosen for their quiet wow-factor, whilst Satvada's teachers are selected for their sensitive, inclusive approach and depth of understanding.