We are at the end of August now and whether you’re a local in a tourist town like us or not- summer is busy. For many of us there is an influx of work, busy weekends with birthdays and weddings, kids out of school, heat domes and events, illnesses and overbooked schedules. This is summer. Summer usually lacks routine because of all these variables and more. This can be so fun and exhilarating at the beginning of the season but eventually, like maybe right now, the stamina is running out. It’s usually these times when we begin to crave routine again and notice that routine is the maintenance that our minds and bodies need to feel healthy and thriving.
This is the last push of summer before some routine will naturally return as the seasons change. But there’s still some plans that require follow through until the routine returns. In the meantime, we wanted to give you a little survival list to get you through to the end without a total burnout or breakdown. If you’ve already had one or both of those, save this list and add it to your calendar for next year. Most of all, know that you aren’t alone in any of it.
Accessible system regulators that will rejuvenate your body and mind:
1. Breathe
Set an alarm on your phone for three different times in the day and commit to pausing and taking three conscious breaths. Bring yourself in to the present moment. Everyone can commit to pausing for 60 seconds. If you’re with a group of people, get them in on it too! Your kids, your family, your friends and/or your co-workers will all appreciate it.
2. Drink water
This is foundational in the state of your wellbeing in every way and so often overlooked. If this is something that you have a hard time remembering, there are a few ways to ensure you’re drinking enough water. Set an alarm on your phone, have a water buddy that sends you a message or photo when they drink water until it becomes routine for both of you, download one of the many water apps that will send you reminders, bring your water bottle everywhere with you, have a water bottle in your car and places you frequent so it’s accessible. When you become dehydrated there are many negative side effects that will affect your mental and physical health- this is one major way you can support yourself.
3. Gratitude list
This can change your mindset and help you focus on what is going great right now! Where focus goes, energy flows and where energy goes grows! This isn’t to say that you won’t still be busy or in a high output time of life, but you may be happier doing it. Usually the high output of summer is surrounded by fun stuff. Let’s try to make sure that you get to be present for it. Ultimately, this gratitude list can help you enjoy the fun stuff you’ve planned rather than just going through the motions.
4. Say no
There are many people, events and priorities that will demand your attention without negotiation. You have to keep those plans. What plans and commitments are negotiable? Ideally you would have not made the commitments in the first place but remember that there is also room to go back and say you miscalculated and need time to rejuvenate. When new things are coming your way, sleep on it before you say yes or no, really consider what is best for you. Do you have the space to add anything more right now? It’s time to practice saying no when you need and want to!
5. Delegate
This can be a game changer. What can you take off your plate and release control of? Delegating creates more time for you to focus where you need to, including rest. Delegating requires you to release some control, potentially spend some money or create a system with someone else on a trade basis. This can, if your short on funds, require some creativity. When this notion first comes up there is usually some resistance because of the blocks that come up. Usually around resources and control. Once you work through that, just letting go of one thing can create space for you to get the nap you need, the mind freedom, the room for some fun or whatever else you need time and space for.We hope these little tips will find you exactly when you need them and that you can get some relief from the summer hustle. If you don’t get to the list because it’s just too much, just remember we are in it with you!
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