Six Sure-Fire Strategies to Deal with Summer Stress

Summer may be in full swing, but for many of us, the warmth of the sun isn’t the only thing we’re feeling bearing down upon us: Stress. And its weight can dampen our spirit like the season’s humidity does to our hair.

Summer stress may seem like an oxymoron, but in fact, the long days, time off, flexible schedules, even extra hours with family and friends can easily turn up the heat on our need to micro-manage our relaxation and construct the “perfect” summer vacation. MESSAGE TO SELF: We’ve waited all year for this. It won’t last forever. So it has to be just right!

Well I’ve got another message for the remainder of summer’s retreat: let it go, let it flow, and live into it. In other words, replace the need for perfection with the desire for experience. Trade in summer stress for summer spirit! Here are six sure-fire strategies to help you do this.

1. Clear the calendar of “shoulds,” “must-dos,” and “because others are” and focus on “would like tos,” “why nots” and “have always longed tos.” When we do things that are truly meaningful to us, something that gives us a greater sense of peace and place, significance and satisfaction, we create an experience and a memory that will carry us through all the seasons of our lives and help us to be—and stay— well.

2. Do something that makes a difference, something that’s important to you, something that really matters. Maybe it’s something you’ve never done before. Maybe it’s something you’ve been intending to do, but keep putting off. Whatever it is, do it, and make sure it speaks to some inner passion or ultimate concern, something that reminds you that you have “miles to go before you sleep.”

3. Invest in something valuable—not necessarily something expensive or trendy; rather something or someone worthy of your time and energy. Perhaps it is a purchase, like a new bike that helps you get some exercise and enjoy the outdoors, or an old-fashioned soft serve ice cream cone that conjures up great childhood memories, or a picnic basket to go on a family outing. Then again maybe it’s simply a new friendship, an opportunity to volunteer your time, or an idea that gets your juices flowing. Remember, if it feels right and real, then it’s definitely worthwhile.

4. Put yourself out there in some new or exciting way. Do you like to read? Join a book club and see what others have to say about the stories you care about. If you’re heading to the beach or a camp site invite, an old friend you found on Facebook, or share a blanket or a fire pit with someone you just met. Bonding is a definite stress-buster, but sometimes the “bigger bang” and the more memorable experience, is connecting with a new face or place, instead of the same old-same old.

5. Say “yes” to life, either loud and proud, or quite and in private, especially when challenges get you down, when the stress piles on, or when the wind is gone from your sails. Just because summer’s here, doesn’t mean all is light and bright. Sometimes adversity strikes and things turn dark and dim. The key is to leverage your spirit in order find within your “cold, bleak winter” an invincible summer, one that reminds you that life is always worth living come what may.

6. Soak up more than the sun. Soak up and savor the sublime, the extraordinary, the wonderful and the awesome—inhale the fullness of life. Set aside your daily tasks and to-do lists. Get passed the monotony of life…even the routines of summer life! And let yourself and your spirit be stirred, stimulated, inspired.

Summer is a time we all look forward to throughout the year. But instead of trying to make each moment picture perfect, allow each moment to be what it can be and will be. Let life surprise you each day in any number of ways. And when summer stress sneaks up on you, remember: let your energy flow, get yourself on, and live into it!