5 WAYS TO BEAT THE SUMMER BLUES
Credits : Farah Siddique
When we think of summertime, we often think of pool parties, barbecues, and long sunny days. In reality though, sometimes summertime isn’t as exciting as our imaginations make it out to be. For many of us summertime blues is our reality, as our days are accompanied with feelings of loneliness, boredom, sadness, and isolation. There are many reasons summertime blues may be your experience. Your friends and colleagues may go on extended vacations, people may be moving away for a new job, and acquaintances may go back home when school or work is out. From one day to the next it can seem like everyone has exciting and endless summer plans, while you’re left without anything exciting going on. You may start to wonder if there’s something wrong with your life if you still feel like you have one! Whatever the reason for your feelings, please don’t worry! Many people feel this way. Fortunately, there are things you can do to try to ease the feelings of sadness, loneliness, boredom, and/or isolation that accompany your summertime blues.
1- Yoga and Meditation
Research has shown how the brain can change in response to training and experience such as meditation, a process which is known as neuroplasticity. Researchers have found that meditation training boosts the left frontal activity in the brain, which is associated with positive mood, and decreases activity in the amygdala - the system related to stress and anxiety.Inessence, meditation provides a framework in which we are able to step back from habitual thinking and emotions, allowing us to witness them with clarity and perspective. When we learn to do this, the mind and body begin to calm down, allowing us to experience a greater sense of quiet and ease in everyday life
2- Plan some kind of a summer adventure
Maybe it’s in your own town, or maybe you will travel to a place that holds fond memories or somewhere you’ve never been before to create new ones. Whatever your choice, a lot of joy can be found in the planning process. Whether you are going to travel on your own or with a group, your family, or just your partner, figuring out everything you’d like to do once you get to your destination is a big part of the fun. It’s also a good way to lift you out of a funk. Happiness comes from making future plans, so try it.
3- Get comfortable reaching out
Reach out and ask for help. Yes, this could be intimidating but it’s worth all the fear and anxiety you go through alone. There is absolutely no harm in opening up what and how you feel! For all you know, letting someone in, talking about your thoughts might just be what you need to get rid of those summer blues.
4- Explore your area
Have you ever really explored the city or town you live in? Give yourself permission to go on a Google binge and find out what your city has to offer. Google “things to do in [ YOUR CITY]” to see what people from your area recommend to visitors. Chances are you’ll find something exciting that you didn’t know existed! Remember, tourists likely come to your city and leave feeling as though there wasn’t enough time to explore all the things it has to offer. Dig deep!
5- Get off social media
This might sound bizzare because let’s be honest, we’re all severely dependent on social media but maybe a little break from is what we need in order to unwind. You know maybe you really don’t need to know whats happening everywhere. Maybe it’s completely okay for you to not know what’s going on in everyone’s lives! Take this break to reconnect with yourself and most importantly the world out there. There are so many beautiful things and places you that await you.