Although many of us think of the summer as a time to relax and to kick back, the truth is that it can actually be a busy, expensive and stressful time. Even if work starts to die down a little, you will probably find that your list of social engagements grows longer and longer. And let’s face it: we all love seeing our friends and family but it can get overwhelming quickly. If you feel stressed out this summer, here are a few tips that will help you relax without breaking the bank.
Focus On Your Body
First, it’s time to focus on your body. If you work at a desk all day, chances are you will be a little tense, particularly around your shoulders and your upper back. A great way to deal with this is to start practicing yoga – all you need is a yoga mat and some YouTube videos like Yoga With Adriene if joining a class isn’t convenient for you. If you still have problems, why not try a massage? This might seem complicated to fit into your busy schedule but if you google ‘massage near me’ you should be able to find a local place that you’ll be able to slot in after work, or maybe even on your lunch break.
Ditch The Technology
Our phones definitely make life more convenient – it’s great to be able to let your friends know if you’re going to be five minutes late to meet up, and if you’re at the store it’s great to be able to call home to ask whether you need more milk or not – but at the same time, they aren’t always great for us. During the summer this can be particularly difficult as people take to social media to tell everyone about the amazing fun they’re having. Even if you’re having plenty of fun yourself, this can be difficult and frustrating. You need to remember that people only post about the greatest moments of their lives and that a lot of those photos are posted! Delete Instagram and Facebook for a while to give yourself a social media break, and if you feel overwhelmed by calls and messages, make sure that you turn your phone off during the events so that you can focus on family time. If you find that hard to do because of work or family commitments, at least turn it off an hour before bed – this will help you sleep better, as the blue light that phones emanate can keep you awake.
Take Some Time Alone
Finally, make sure you take some time for yourself this summer. If you don’t have too much to do, take yourself off for a solo vacation – you might feel awkward but remember that you’re never alone if you have a book! It will be delightful to be able to do exactly what you want to do while you’re away. If you’re staying a little closer to home, take a summer walk alone, learn to meditate, go biking – take some time to extend as much love and energy to yourself as you do to other people.
