40 ways to relax this summer
It’s happening right now, school’s out, and you’re on your summer break! What should you do this summer? Of course, summer break is the time to catch up and get ahead on working towards your goals, but…it’s critical to relax during summer break since you know crunch times will be back when school starts up again!
July and August hold more than just international sports. Summer can be time for relaxation, and after reading the article on confronting burnout, you may look to schedule some time off from work. While on your time off, the other articles in this issue may prove of some value. While participating in your own soccer tournament, be cautious of sustaining a minor traumatic brain injury and read up on the reporting of such injuries among teenagers participating in sports. See if you can put some history behind the clinical image of a crooked finger presented in this issue, and hope for nothing similar from personal experience. To remember the passing of Anthony Bourdain, your vacation adventures may bring you to novel eateries involving savory (or unsavory) foods.
The submission on food allergies may be useful in this situation. I hope you find something in this issue interesting and take some time to relax, reflect and enjoy the summer.
The academic summer break is a precious thing: a generous chunk of time off, unlikely to be repeated when you graduate (well, not until retirement anyway). What to do with this limited window of time? Is it a chance to unwind and refresh, to do some CV boosting placements, or to just earn some cash?
For some, earning a wage will be imperative—after all, volunteering, interning, and holidays abroad are expensive options. For others, the choice may be overwhelming, but what is the best option for both your personal wellbeing and for the health of your career?
With jobs, internships, makeup classes, assignments, sports, there’s no shortage of things you feel you have to do. High levels of stress can be both physically and mentally draining, so it’s important to relax during summer break and refresh yourself. According to this article, vacations where you actually take a break from work and routine make you healthier and happier – something even teens should pay attention to! Take some time now to focus on recharging your batteries, so you’re ready to go ahead at full speed when school starts.
1. Get A Change Of Scenery
When you spend five out of seven days each week going to school, the weekly routine can get repetitive after a while. Thankfully, it is a perfect chance to get a change of scenery. Use your time off to hit up the beach, visit a new city, take a hike, or do whatever you enjoy doing outdoors!
Plus, free from the hectic school year schedule, summer is a great time to hang out with friends you don’t get to see as often as you’d like. So bring some company along on your trips. It’s not necessary to spend a lot of money to enjoy a change of scenery – visiting a park or lively street scene in a new part of town can be a blast if done with your friends. Feeling ambitious? Organize a treasure hunt with some friends and experience your town in a new and fun way!
2. Explore Your Interest
Summer vacation can also be a great time to explore your passions and interests. Time can sometimes be in short supply during the school year, but summer brings with it the perfect chance to learn or try something new.
Use your summer to broaden your horizons by doing fun activities that you’re interested in. Been wanting to learn how to play a favorite song? Learn a new sport? Want to build your own computer? Want to channel your inner chef? Now is the time to do it when you have fewer conflicts and commitments.
Schedule some time, every day or every week or during some stretch of your summer vacation, to devote yourself to indulging your passions and interests.
All work and no play are rarely a recipe for success. While your summer will no doubt be filled with working towards goals, mix some fun and relaxation into your schedule to distress, stay healthy, and reenergize yourself for the next school year. The teen years are short – so don’t let them slip away without taking time to enjoy yourself!
3. Don't get trapped in the office
Even if for a few minutes, make it a priority to get outside and soak up some sun. Vitamin D is a natural antidepressant, after all. If it's cold where you are, a breath of fresh air couldn't hurt.
4. Smile
Smile to yourself, and you and those around you will feel happy instantly.
5. Eat an orange.
Vitamin C has been found to lower stress hormones and even blood pressure.
6. Pet your dog.
Animal therapy can ease anxiety, so if your work or home office has a pet, spend some time with it. If not, watching dog videos can give your mind a break, too.
8. Get your groove on
singing and dancing, according to studies, can help self-esteem and boost levels of calm.
9. Eat dark chocolate
Superfood dark chocolate can provide you with vital antioxidants and stimulate your brain to release beta endorphins, which contribute to your happiness.
10. Find mother nature.
The sun is great for you, but actual nature and greenery can increase your feelings of well-being as well.
11. Water your plants.
Not near any major hills, trails, or hikes? If you tend to your garden, simply watering your plants can bring you relaxation and restored attention.
12. Phone a friend.
Let's face it, we can't do everything alone. Friends can help give us a listening ear, a new perspective, and support when we really need it.
13. Stretch your legs and do yoga.
14. Take a break from your phone.
15. Turn off the news.
16. Ring a mindfulness bell or singing bowl.
17. Smell some essential oils.
18. Chew gum
19. Imagine a peaceful scene.
20. Use stress balls.
21. Take a power nap.
22. Practice meditation.
23. Take a bike ride on a country road
cycling with the wind in your hair, lifting your face to the sun for a few seconds and closing your eyes – what a great way to relax! For some reason, the combination of physical activity and the great outdoors has a totally relaxing effect on the whole body. And it gives you that feeling of going on an adventure.
24. Eat outside as often as you can
Enjoying a meal on the balcony is almost as special as going on a magical vacation. Summer seems to get shorter every year, and if you wait till the weekend to eat outside, you may be disappointed if the weather fails to cooperate. Besides breaking your routine, eating outside feels like you’re making the most of every minute, even if you have to head back to work the next morning.
25. Head for a festival in an unfamiliar place
There’s no shortage of festivals in the summer, but we often go to the same festivals year after year – the ones we’re familiar with. This year, why not do something different and go to a festival in a place you don’t know much about? It’s so much fun discovering a new part of the country!
26. Take a spontaneous trip or a mini vacation
The holidays are really a state of mind! Whether you decide to take a road trip somewhere different with the “girls,” go camping, visit wineries or dairy bars, spontaneous trips are a great way to enjoy your summer and really let your hair down.
27. Organize a theme-based potluck
What’s the secret of a successful party? Good friends, great food, and – yes! – The best sangria in town! But instead of a traditional potluck, why not go with a theme this summer? A potluck with Mexican or Moroccan dishes, for instance… Sharing great food with people you love – there’s no better way to feel fully at the moment, shed your stress and discover a new culture.
28. Spent a day at the beach
For some people, it’s not a vacation unless you have white sand and blue sea. If that’s not on the agenda this year, why not visit a nearby beach? You can get a bit of a tan, swim in the lake and get that seaside feeling, if only for a day. But don’t forget the sun spray and insect repellent, just in case.
29. Try a new restaurant
want to feel like you’re on a trip, just for one evening? Then visit a new restaurant. Going beyond your comfort zone is the best way to unplug from “real” life. Of course, you’ll want to call ahead to reserve a table on the patio!
30. Take some time to spend outdoors
When we spend our time in nature, it naturally calms us and gives us a feeling of inner peace. The bonus is natural sunlight, which gives us our vitamin D – great for the bones and a mood booster.
31. Unplug from technology
Use the summer as an excuse to be on vacation mode. Even if you only can do this once a week, take that time to connect to nature by unplugging from technology.
32. Start a fitness program
That is fun and adventurous. Go hiking, bike riding, etc. Do something new and fun! Make it better by bringing a friend.
34. Slow down
It's summer; start living mindfully by doing one task at in time, enjoying the beauty around you and living in the moment.
35. Spend time with friends and family,
Set up date nights and fun nights. The days are longer, so it's a great time to really go out and have fun.
36. Do activities you really love
Read the book you never had time to, take a day trip to a new town and see new sights, or go to the beach and relax. Whatever brings you “flow?” This is the time to do it.
37. Step outside your comfort zone
Try something new. It can be something simple like trying a new drink or food or going to a new restaurant.
38. Use up your personal time
from work and have some free time with no expectations.
39. Create some time for own
I wake up 10 minutes earlier in the summer to sit outside on my deck with my coffee and just enjoy the silence.
40. Breathe properly
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