Summer Slump? I Don’t Know Her: 7 Tips to Avoid Feeling Burnt Out When the Sun’s Out
Don’t you love the middle of summer? When the sun is high and the temperatures are higher, it’s the perfect time to buckle down and knock a ton of things off of your to-do list.
Oh? What? Is it not? Is the daily reminder of our globe’s constant climate change making it hard for you to focus? Turns out, you’re not alone.
According to UW Medicine, the heat of the summer months can make anxiety and panic attacks more frequent. And when paired with less structured sleep schedules and the pressure to live your best summer life for the ‘gram, it’s a recipe for disaster.
So what can you do to avoid falling into that summer slump where it feels like you can’t get anything accomplished? Keep reading for some of my favorite tips.
Establish a Routine
I know. Summer is the season of freedom. I blame this on how ingrained it was in our childhood. When we were younger and in school, summer was the only time when we would really feel free. It’s normal for that feeling to pour over into our adult lives.
But the truth is, many of us feel out of control when we don’t stick to our routines. Without a structured day, things don’t get accomplished, leaving us to feel like we’re spiraling into the abyss. When we feel this way, it’s easy just to shut down and give way to the summer slump feeling.
Get the Sleep You Need
Remember when you were younger, and it felt silly going to bed when it was still light outside? Guess what? That feeling doesn’t leave even though you’re growing up.
The increased amount of summer daylight is great for extended BBQs and pool parties, but when it comes to settling down, it can really mess with our circadian rhythm. No matter who you are, if you don’t get enough sleep, you’re going to end up feeling cranky and unproductive eventually.
To ensure that you’re getting the sleep your body needs, stick to your normal sleep schedule as much as possible. Keep your sleeping conditions dark, quiet, and cool to get the most out of your shut-eye. Blackout curtains, a sleep mask, earplugs, and a white noise machine can do wonders for transforming your bedroom into a haven for rest.
Stay Cool & Hydrated
The physical heat has a lot to do with that summer slump feeling. It takes a toll on your body and can often bring on symptoms similar to anxiety – sweating, increased heart rate, and shortness of breath.
To keep those feelings at bay, keep your body cool. Limit the amount of time you spend outdoors when the temperature is the highest. If you have to be outside, remember to stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and consume light foods, such as cucumbers, watermelon, or bell peppers. These foods will fuel your body, but they also have a high water count, so they won’t weigh you down and strip you of hydration.
Take It Easy
It’s tempting to pack your summer schedule, especially if Taylor Swift or Beyoncé are hitting your city and you happen to be lucky enough to grab tickets. But if you’re constantly on the go between work, family obligations, and outings with friends, you’re going to wear yourself down.
Carving out time to hit the beach or take that desired vacation is smart, but feeling that pressure to have something fun penciled in on every date of your planner isn’t. A good mix of work, fun, and downtime on the couch is necessary to live a healthy and balanced summer.
Move Your Body
Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean it’s a free pass to skip your workouts. And by workout, I don’t mean you have to commit to 2 hours of weight training and cardio in the gym every day. Even meeting up with a friend to take a walk around the park with your morning coffee counts!
Find a way of moving your body that makes you feel happy and excited. Take it outside by jogging around your neighborhood in the early morning hours, before it gets too hot, or hitting the swimming pool to get some laps in.
Ironically, sometimes, moving your body is the best thing you can do when you feel restless or uninterested.
Stop Scrolling
Social media is an awesome way to connect with family and friends, keep up with your favorite brands, and discover new products, shows, or artists you might enjoy. But it can also be easy to fall into the compare-and-despair trap. After all, who wants to be chained to their desk while it seems like everyone on your feed is on the European vacation of their dreams?
If scrolling social media is starting to feel stressful, put it down. Limit yourself to an hour a day, or delete it from your phone altogether. No one on Earth can keep up with all of the fun parties, vacations, and activities that pop up on social media, and attempting to try is only setting yourself up for failure. And that feeling of failure is going to push you further into a summer slump.
Reclaim Your Summer
The best way to get out of a summer slump is to reframe your narrative. There seems to be so much pressure on making this the best summer ever (!!!!!) that we often forget that every day doesn’t have to feel like a dream.
In fact, every day won’t feel like a dream. There are going to be days where you’re just pushing through your work day until you get back home to your dog, your couch, and your glass of wine. And that’s okay! Because they make those days spent with friends on the beach with the sun on your skin even sweeter.
Ready to work?
Be the first to know!
Subscribe to our newsletter to get workplace wellness tips to your inbox, learn about exciting new programs, and receive subscriber-only discounts!