Summer is the Perfect Season to Feel Better
It’s summer - the season for backyard BBQs, long afternoons by the pool or the beach, and of course, ice cream. Many of us who suffer from seasonally-affected mood swings will find that they naturally feel better in the summertime. Read on for some ways to take advantage of the joys of summer to feel your best!
Exercise
Did you know that looking at the color green - naturally found on grasses, trees, and plants that are prevalent in the summer months - actually make exercise feel easier? According to one study where cyclists pedaled in front of green, gray, and red images, those in the green group said they felt lower exertion than the other two groups.
You don’t have to be racing around on a bike to get the benefits of exercise. Just being in nature has been shown to lower stress levels. The scents of flowers have been proven to decrease stress and relaxation. Furthermore, spending time walking is said to increase creative production and concentration skills.
Take time for play
While not all of us are in education fields or those that naturally build in breaks for the summer, chances are you’ve got greater flexibility due to the fact that it stays lighter for so much longer in the summer months. People are regularly scheduling vacations and time away to take advantage of summer holidays. We urge you to do likewise! You don’t have to book an airplane trip. You could simply plan a day off in your own town to explore places you haven’t been since before the pandemic, or even just spend time planting a few flowers and watching them bloom!
Reset your sleep schedule
Now that things are opening up and feeling more “normal,” you may need to take a look at adjusting your bedtime, and the summer is the perfect time for a reset. With the days long, it might be a great time to start getting up early and taking some time for yourself before the busyness of the day sets in. Spend time journaling, meditating, or taking that nice walk outside before starting your work day.
Enjoy summer’s bounty
Since many fruits and vegetables are coming into season due to the warmer temperatures, summer is an ideal time to amp up your consumption of healthy food. Savor the taste of freshly picked summer berries, or indulge in some pasta or a sandwich with fresh-from-the-vine tomatoes. Take your meals outside and enjoy taking a break from your normal routine! Make a visit to your local farmer’s market and explore what new foods you might want to try to incorporate into your diet. Or maybe grow your own food this year by starting a garden!
Make friends with water
We’re lucky here in West Michigan to be surrounded by beautiful lakes, rivers and beaches galore, but if you’re not from around here, swimming in a local community pool or even a friend’s house can bring clarity and be soothing to your soul.
While we’re on the subject of water - this is a great season to make sure you are drinking enough of it! When it warms up outside, not being properly hydrated is a recipe for disaster. If you’re not a fan of plain water, look for flavored water or iced teas to make sure you’re drinking enough H20!
Look for fun things happening in your community
Summer is a prime entertainment season, with fairs, festivals, movies, concerts and other forms of recreation all taking place outside! With so many of us spending the past 18 months cooped up inside, pick your favorite activity and take it outdoors and enjoy some time in the company of sunshine or other people! OR - use the abundance of free activities to try out something you’ve never done before (Trap Zumba, anyone?).
Taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional health by participating in some of these ideas will ensure you enjoy summer 2021 as the best version of yourself! If you’d like to take care of yourself by talking to a licensed therapist, we’d love to chat with you. Connect with us using the contact form on our website and we’ll get in touch with you as soon as possible.
