With the absence of stress over exams, and the laid-back atmosphere the summertime brings, summer vacation is generally a long-awaited season for most students. However, the expectations of being carefree, and the pressure of having to be sociable and extroverted can sometimes be quite overwhelming for people. So, here is a checklist of 7 tips you can consider when taking care of your mental health this summer.
1- Set up a few daily routines
The routine-free, unpredictable side of summer can be stressful for those who are used to following schedules. Routines are actually great for managing stress and staying organized. Ensuring that your day has a little bit of structure to it can help lessen your anxiety.
2- Set specific goals for yourself
Setting goals like reading more often, limiting social media time, or being more active will give you both the chance to challenge yourself, and the motivation you need to take action. This will also foster personal growth and self-development, which is always a plus!
3- Plan a trip with your friends
Going on vacation is always a good idea. It’s the perfect opportunity for you to relax, have some fun, unwind, and do something new, which will put you in a good mood. Given the current pandemic, traveling abroad is not very easy, but local trips are still a great option, and they’re budget-friendly too! Now is your chance to explore new cities across the country.
4- Eat well & stay hydrated
A lot of people obsess over the idea of reaching their ideal summer body to the point where unhealthy eating habits are sometimes created to attain it. It’s important for you to remember that when you honour your body with love and respect, it will support you in return! There are lots of seasonal fruits and vegetables that you can include in your meal plan to stay happy and healthy, but it’s also okay to gain some healthy weight over the summer. When you have been working hard all year long, treating yourself with delicious food just makes sense. Drinking tons of water on a hot summer day is also a must. You need to stay hydrated for your brain and body to function properly, so drink up!
5- Maintain a healthy sleep schedule
Since you no longer have exams or deadlines you need to stay up all night for, there are no excuses for not having a good night's sleep! In addition to the negative effects sleep, deprivation has on physical health, too little sleep can also make you moody and irritable. It’s okay to have late summer nights (we all know that’s the perfect weather we wait for all year), but it’s important in general to maintain about 8 hours of sleep every night, your body and mind will love you for it.
6- Stay active
There is a strong correlation between mental and physical health. When you take care of your body’s well-being, you’re also keeping your mind healthy. Whether it’s going to the gym, swimming, going for a run, or just dancing in your bedroom, try to get your body moving as much as you can. If you don’t feel like going outside, you can even follow a home workout online.
6- Make the best out of your vacation time!
You deserve some time off to practice things you genuinely enjoy doing. Make use of this free time to focus on yourself, and do the things you have always wanted to do, but never had the time for. This can be something as simple as getting your nails done, or cleaning out your closet.