How to Mentally Reset this Summer

As we enter the summer months, it is easy to get disoriented as we juggle extracurriculars, vacations, projects, and various other things activities. By spending more time trying to cram as much as possible into our days, our mental health can suffer. This summer, it is important to take time to foster good habits to avoid burning out, exhaustion, elevated stress levels, and overall poor health.

Below is a list of ways to mentally reset this summer.

1. Get outside: It is important to take advantage of the nice weather. The sun has been proven to lift moods and is a nice change after so many months of cold weather. Getting outside and reconnecting with nature allows you to distract yourself for a while.
2. Set or keep a routine: Although summertime is typically more relaxed, it is important to keep or create a routine that works for you. By keeping or setting a routine, it makes it much easier to pencil in downtime when you are feeling overwhelmed.
3. Take a staycation: While many use the summer months to explore new places, staying at home with a limited agenda is also a great way to unwind and reset. This can be as easy as ordering in and catching up on your favorite T.V. show.
4. Limit screen time: Although aimlessly scrolling on various social media and news feeds may seem simple, consuming that much information in a short timespan can be and is exhausting. Try to unplug before bedtime and avoid starting your day with social media.
5. Listen to your body: It is important to make the most of your time, but it is equally important to make time to rest. Taking time to sit out an activity is a great way to recuperate and avoid later burnout and exhaustion.
6. Take time to start a hobby or reinvest in an existing one: Life gets busy, and time gets away from us all too often, so this summer when you are feeling overwhelmed, set aside time to get back into an old hobby or research a new hobby that will allow you to disconnect and regroup.
7. Prioritize good sleeping and eating habits: It is easy to throw routines out the door during the summer and live in the moment, but it is important to ensure you are getting enough and good quality sleep this summer. Additionally, fueling your body with nutritious food helps to keep your energy up and avoid feeling bogged down.
8. Practice self-care: To some, self-care is curling up with a good book on a Sunday afternoon, and others prefer to do a DIY spa day. No matter what your version of self-care is, it is crucial to treat yourself this summer when you feel yourself getting overwhelmed.
9. Set attainable goals: A summer bucket list is a great way to manage your time, but it is important to be realistic when making it to avoid unnecessary stress and burnout by trying to accomplish everything. Start small, as you can always add other events as the summer progresses.
10. Set healthy boundaries: The throes of everyday life, especially those with busy academic and work schedules, easily test and push personal boundaries that can lead to extreme levels of stress and exhaustion. Take the time to re-evaluate and re-set boundaries this summer to set yourself up for the remainder of the year.

This summer don’t wait until you are miserable to take some time to disconnect. Work on incorporating ways to reset on a monthly, weekly, or even daily basis now, to best set yourself up for success.

Read more about how to mentally reset below:

16 Simple Ways to Relieve Stress- Healthline
Time to Rejuvenate: 10 Ways to Boost Your Mental Health This Summer- Transformations Care Network
From Finals to Freedom: 10 Mental Health Tips for a Restful Summer- Integrated Care Clinic