Summer is almost here, which means school is out and we have more time to ourselves. We can focus on summer jobs, traveling and just having fun. With this extra time comes some great opportunities to work on our mental and physical health. Here are some things you can do this summer to work on your mental health, and make this summer productive and beneficial.
1. Exercise
It is no secret that exercising is amazing for both your physical and mental health. It releases endorphins, the feel-good hormone in your brain, and can be just as effective as an anti-depressant.
Summer can give us an opportunity to make regular exercise a habit, and find room for it in our daily life. From running to yoga to boxing, any way that you can get moving this summer will surely keep you feeling happy and healthy.
2. Get Outside
It is said that even staring at a picture of a tree can make us happier, so actually wandering through the woods should make us feel over-the-moon. Getting out in nature can take us away from the stress of work, relationships and responsibilities, and transport us to a serene place where we can just enjoy the surroundings.
This summer would be a great time to get your hiking boots out and hit the trails, or just spend some time in your neighborhood park. Either way, it will help clear your mind and get rid of any unwanted anxiety.
3. Find Some Fuzzy Friends
It is never ever a bad time to pet a dog. Every time is the right time. Always. Forever. But the summer is a great time to be around animals, whether it's visiting your local zoo or aquarium, or getting to hang out with your fur babies at home.
Humans and animals can have a very special bond, and spending time with all different kinds of animals can have a very calming effect. It can help relieve anxiety and depression, and will overall make you a happier human.
4. Unplug
A lot of times for work or school, we are often required to spend most of our day online. In addition to work, it seems like social media consumes our whole lives. Without even realizing it, we can spend hours of our lives scrolling through Instagram, Facebook and Twitter watching other people live their lives instead of actually living our own. All of this time online is not good for our mental health, and can worsen both anxiety and depression.
This summer, try to find times when you can unplug and move away from the virtual world. Maybe you can go camping away from cell service, or even delete some social media apps on your phone. Whether you can unplug in a small or big way, it will help improve your mental health and happiness.
5. Find a Routine
It is often said that the idle mind is the devil's workshop. This phrase could not be more true. Anxiety and depression all stem from problems in our thoughts, and when we let these thoughts run wild, our mental health can spiral downward very quickly. This summer, try to make a daily routine and stick to it.
Walk your dog at the same time every morning, or find a time to read every night. Whatever you choose to do this summer, make sure to make a routine and stick to it. That way, you can work on your mental health and make some great new memories this summer.
