There should be a special word in English for that magical time of year between the last week of July and the second week of August. That season of hot-soup air, impending deadlines and sunsets that seem earlier every evening... (did I say magical? I meant awful.)
If you're one of the people calling in sick with a bad case of the Augusts, these ideas might help you recover enough to enjoy the last days of summer.
1. Fight the headache
And not just any normal headache, but that special one that comes from going from AC to 103 degrees a few times a day. Keep hydrated, have some Excedrin or Aleve on hand for the worst cases, and try to limit going back and forth as much as possible. And when all else fails...
2. Take a nap
There's no shame in a late-summer siesta. Remember all those naps you fought in preschool? Time to cash in. Just keep it in the power nap category to avoid nap time hangovers.
3. Go outside
Anytime the temperature dips into the humane range, leave your dark, cold icebox house and get some sun on your skin. Or at least some fresh air, if the only time that happens is after dark.
4. Embrace routine
If you've been celebrating long summer nights with snooze button marathons, you may want to consider slowly getting back to a normal schedule --- before that 8 am class sneaks up on you.
5. Be honest
Are you stressed from work? Nervous about the new school year? Did you neglect your summer to-do list? Before you blame the heat for your icky mood, have an honest heart-to-heart with yourself. Maybe it is just the heat that's making you salty, after all—but it never hurts to take stock of your own well-being.
6. Find your thing
Do you have half-read summer books laying around? A project stuck on step two? Unfulfilled plans? Whether it's cross-stitch or CrossFit, you still have time to tackle that summer project. Find something that you're excited to start/continue/finish, and ignore the calendar.
7.Use the buddy system
The August slump can quickly lead to wanting to be a hermit. If you find yourself fantasizing about moving into a blanket fort for the rest of the year, reach out to your friends. Go out for lunch. Meet up for a walk. Discuss your summer reads. Group chat until your phone dies. Complain about the heat together. Make fall plans.
8. Explore Your options
August does have its bright points—especially if you like fairs and festivals! It's State Fair season, which means concerts, food, rides, animals and amazing exhibits. If you haven't attended a county or state fair, it's a great way to cap off your summer. And there's ice cream, like, everywhere.
9. Dig in
Summer is like nature's candy aisle. With berries in season and summer gardens running full-steam on production, you probably don't have to go far to get fresh, seasonal food. Fresh-from-the-garden fruits and veggies are a fantastic way to beat the blahs. Look for roadside stands and farmers' markets, and try out some new recipes. Or, you know... sit on the couch with a bowl of cherry tomatoes. No judgment here.
10. Ignore the lists
Yep. This listicle gives you permission to ignore it. Why? Because you are the only one that knows how to take care of you. It's easy to fall into using the internet as a measuring stick. Advice is everywhere, but quantity doesn't always mean quality when it comes to health and wellness. If you are encouraged or inspired by the things you read, great! If you find yourself thinking "Wow, this isn't me at all," you're probably right. And that's OK.
11. Remember....
In a few months, we will all be wishing it was August again. Take a nap, call a friend, grab a Popsicle and go make the most of the end of summer!
After all, this magical season only comes once a year.
