Summer is officially here, which means there’s no excuse not to go outside and enjoy the weather. Sun-drenched days spent relaxing on the beach are fun and memorable. But, spending all your time outdoors can have drawbacks if you aren’t careful about protecting your mental health.
People who deal with anxiety and stress may struggle with less organization in their schedules, and push them to be socially active. You can become easily overwhelmed with all of this.
But you don’t have to be overwhelmed. Whether traveling to see friends or family, going on a trip to visit nature, or just hanging out at home with your loved ones, remember these eight tips to take care of your mental health during summer.
1. Maintain a Healthy Sleep Schedule
Staying up late can mess with your circadian rhythm and throw off sleep patterns. It’s essential to get a good night’s rest. It will help keep stress levels low and energy high, explains Dr. Charles Davenport, director of Davenport Psychology.
That means setting an earlier bedtime. For others, it means turning off electronics a couple of hours before hitting the hay. Ensure you always go to bed feeling well-rested, because sleeping late won’t seem like a great idea.
2. Exercise Regularly
Keeping fit can do a lot for your mental health, from helping you sleep better to boosting your mood. The science is also pretty straightforward – exercise is critical for your physical and psychological health.
There’s evidence that it might even increase your life expectancy. You probably already know about all this. But, it’s worth reminding yourself why you should work out regularly this summer if you haven’t already.
A recent study from Harvard University found that older adults who exercised four times a week could maintain their cognitive abilities over time.
Other research has also shown how regular exercise can help protect against Alzheimer’s disease in old age. It makes sense for us to think about our future selves when we hit 30 or 40. We want to be able to do as much as possible—including staying mentally sharp for many years.
3. Focus on Mindfulness & Meditation
A healthy dose of mindfulness and meditation can help increase your mental health this summer. According to NPR, meditation and mindfulness practices have been proven beneficial for managing stress, anxiety, and depression. And, all of which can exacerbate during times like these.
No matter how many times you’ve heard it before, let us reiterate: mindfulness means being aware and living in the moment.
Practice daily by trying to live in each moment—inhaling slowly through your nose while focusing on your breathing. Also, exhale slowly through your mouth with a gentle smile. You deserve it!
4. Do Something You Enjoy
Getting involved in something you enjoy will help you focus on more positive aspects of your life and relieve stress. It can help improve your mental health. Getting out and being active can be a great way to keep yourself mentally healthy this summer.
Don’t know what kind of things you enjoy doing? Try something new! Go for a picnic, a trip or switch scenery to another place on mother earth. You might surprise yourself!
It is essential for your mental health that you don’t neglect your physical health.
5. Change of Scenery
A change of scenery can help you breathe more easily during summer. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, take a new trip and explore your surroundings.
Studies have shown that even temporary changes in your physical environment can make you feel happier and healthier, so step out of your comfort zone this summer by traveling or making new friends.
Whether it’s camping in Vermont or exploring new neighborhoods in your city, changing where you spend time can help boost your mental health during summer days.
6. Practice self-care
Self-care means so many different things for so many different people. For me, it’s about setting out time for mental health and tending to my emotional needs.
Whether that’s looking forward to a summertime picnic with friends or simply making sure I am getting enough sleep, self-care has been shown to have tremendous benefits on mental health over time.
Practicing self-care can increase your mental health and help you tackle anything life throws your way this summer!
7. Stay Hydrated!
Like most Americans, chances are you’re not getting enough water every day. That can lead to headaches, fatigue and even dry skin, but research also shows that staying hydrated helps increase your mental health.
According to The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, participants who increased their water intake by 1 liter (about 2.2 pints) saw a significant improvement in their symptoms over four weeks— the best outcome for those with anxiety.
In another study conducted by UCLA, researchers found that boosting your fluid intake can help alleviate depression symptoms without making other health conditions worse. Always have a bottle of water at arm’s length.
8. Find Support
Finding a therapist can seem like a daunting process, but once you find someone who resonates with you, it can be invaluable. If you’re looking for support or have struggled with mental health, consider seeing a psychologist.
Even if you only set up an initial consultation, it can help point you in the right direction and introduce new ways of dealing with mental health.
Seeing a therapist can also help teach you how to process your emotions, which is an important skill when juggling a busy career, college or depression.
Finding out what’s blocking your ability to perform at your best is essential in maintaining good mental health this summer—even if it means visiting someone who gets it.