Thrive Global: How to Protect Your Energy During the Summer
"The summer can be a great time to reconnect with friends, enjoy the weather with others, and make plans with people you haven’t seen in a while — but the social gatherings that accompany the summer months can feel stressful and draining. And on top of that stress, so many of us fall prey to the comparison trap that comes with seeing everyone else’s plans on social media. Whether we’re overbooking ourselves or feeling lesser than when we don’t have elaborate plans for Fourth of July, we may need some extra tools to help us recharge and reset this summer.
We asked our Thrive community to share with us the small ways they protect their energy and mental health during the summertime. Which of these tips will you try?
Make plans with people who energize you
“The summer can steal your strength from the heat, and where I live in Florida, the heat is so extreme that it saps your energy, so I travel to cooler places. I also make sure I get plenty of quiet time and I work every day at being true to myself no matter what the season is. That means not being around people who sap your energy, too. If someone makes you feel good about yourself, it brings you joy. If they make you feel badly about yourself, it’s like the hot sun bearing down on you. Find the friends who give you shade and don’t try to steal your thunder.”
—MJ, mental health counselor, FL
Give yourself permission to stay home
“I have really strong boundaries around the 4th of July holiday week to help me manage the festivities. While I love summer picnics and consider myself pretty darn patriotic, I made a decision to bow out of most of the holiday festivities this year. I found the crowds and loud fireworks to be pretty stressful and the festivities have always depleted my energy. I block off several days before and after the 4th on my calendar for staying home and staying in. Friends and family know I don’t travel or go out for this holiday. I stay in and stay off social media so that I don’t have FOMO. It’s a great time to listen to music, watch movies, stay in the AC, and be thankful for my freedoms.”
—Annie Bauer, coach and writer, Asheville, NC
Carve out time for self-care
“The summertime is a time of fun and relaxation, and we enjoy the weather, outdoor activities, and family time. However, it can also be a challenging time for many people due to the lack of sunlight and high temperatures. I find that by taking care of my mental health during the summertime, I am able to maintain my energy. I do this by making sure I’m eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and practicing mindfulness throughout the day.”
—Kristin Marquet, founder and creative director, NY
Decline invitations when necessary
“I’ve always been drawn to the social escapades of summer, but I often find myself feeling drained or stressed in the process. After the last two years of isolation, our social calendars are packed to make up for lost time with weddings, family gatherings, and work socials — and this is accompanied by overbooking, feelings of obligation, and social anxiety. To aid in these challenges, I make sure not to say yes immediately! I suggest checking your calendar and evaluating what your work week might look like. It’s okay to say no or even cancel down the line if your schedule ends up changing. Use a simple, ‘That sounds like a fun idea, let me get back to you tomorrow to see if I can make it work.’”
—Elizabeth Tsachres, MPH, health communications specialist, San Francisco, CA
Unplug when you take PTO
“The one ‘small’ thing I do over the summer to protect my energy and mental health is actually use my PTO. And not in a ‘I’m-off-but-you-can-still-reach-me’ kind of way. When I’m off, I’m off. The demands on my time – combined with the sense of responsibility I feel for my employees, contractors, family and friends – often compels me to say ‘yes’ to every request and stretch myself thin in an attempt to support everyone well. But I’ve finally realized who I fail to support – and who I’m actually saying ’no’ to – when I say ‘yes’ to everyone else. So while I make a concerted effort to take PTO all year long, I’m even more intentional over the summer.”
—Tricia Sciortino, CEO, Charlotte, NC
Give yourself time to recharge
“My intention for summer is to give myself the gift of a seasonal recharge. Instead of starting new projects in my business or feeling the urge to fill in spaces with more work, I’m going to recharge my batteries by enjoying adventures with my kids and allowing room for creativity to flow in. Autumn has always been the season where I have the energy and mind space to hit the ground running in my business, but it’s contingent upon giving myself ample time to recharge over the summer. It’s all about energy resourcing.”
—Emily Madill, author and creativity coach (ACC), Nanaimo, B.C., Canada"
*Summer is the season that everyone always looks forward to because that means barbecues, pool time, and trips to the beach! While we are all revved up to make the most of the summer, that doesn't always mean making as many plans as we can. Summer vacation is a vacation for a reason! It can be used as time to relax from school or work and to recharge before the fall returns as quickly as spring left. Don't feel bad to take time off of work or to say no to some plans. You are allowed your rest time and this is the best time to do it!*
#Summertime #Recharge #Relaxation
What is your favorite activity to do in the summertime? How do you like to relax and recharge?
For the full list of coping skills and how to recharge in the summer time, click here!
I hope you are all having an amazing summer and taking that necessary time for yourselves! ☀️🌊🌈❤️
@fruityPond7887 Thanks for writing this.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us.
@Happy900 Of course! Thank you for taking the time to read! 😊
@fruityPond7887 Your welcomed my friend.
@fruityPond7887 I love swimming in the summer. It helps to cool myself down.
@comfortableNight4463 Me too! There's nothing like getting into a cool pool or the ocean when it's so hot out!
@fruityPond7887 Agreed. It feels amazing on your skin!
@comfortableNight4463 Glad to here this.
@Happy900 Thank you😊
How are we supposed to read this?
@considerateMoon9060
It's organized by topics and then there are quotes and then there are the authors' names, so hopefully that can help provide some order! There's definitely no right or wrong way to do it :)