Bounce Summer Inspiration

By Hamish, 21 - 28 Jan 2016

The summer break is great for a lot of reasons. The sun is shining and you’ve got all the time in the world to do whatever you want with your mates. However it’s easy to feel like you’ve got too much time on your hands and the long days drag on. This is especially true for young people in post-quake Christchurch. So what’s the best way out of this rut? Sometimes all it takes is a little inspiration, which is where #JustBounceThings comes in. It’s a list of 15 great ideas that can serve as a creative source for making this the best summer of your life.

The playlist has five different types of activities:

Connect with others: Staying in touch with those you care about is so important for your well-being. Now that school's finished it’s easy to drift away from the friends you're used to seeing every day. Make an effort to organise a trip with your mates to the beach on a sunny day, or if you’re more of an inside person (like me!) go see a movie (Star Wars anybody?). If you’re looking to meet new people, keep an eye out for community events in your area.

Keep doing what you love: Summer is the best time to do the things you love. Why not jam out to the perfect summer-themed playlist? Whether it's rock, reggae or Justin Bieber, make it your own! Get creative and draw or paint something, or if you’re getting a bit stressed, out chill with your pets (or come to a Bounce event and chill with Pablo the Panda!).

Treat your body well: Getting out of the school routine can make it difficult to stay active and treat your body well. The good thing is that summer means fruit like pineapple and strawberry are in season and can be used to make awesome summer snacks! Going for a scenic walk is a good way to get the legs moving. Who knows? It might inspire you to try out a new sport!

Make a difference: The summer break is also a great way to make a difference, big or small. Giving up your time and volunteering is a great way to make a difference in your community, but it can mean just as much if you take some time out to do a small kindness for someone close to you or for the environment.

Know yourself: It’s also a good time of year for self-evaluation and learning to know yourself. For me it’s one of the hardest things to do, but forgetting the negatives and being grateful for the positives is one of the best things you can do for your well-being over summer.

So there you have it, Bounce’s guide to a mean summer. Whatever it is you end up doing, look after yourself and have fun!

Hamish, 21

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