Good morning, friends!

Summer is finally here. And with it comes longer days, warmer weather, and plenty of exciting plans & activities. Many of us (myself included) might recognize that this time of year has a positive impact on our overall mental health and mood. There are many benefits associated with this season, but it’s worth noting some specific self-care strategies to keep in mind throughout the summer months.

Self-Care Strategies for the Summer

1. Drink lots of water to prevent dehydration

2. Wear sunscreen daily and limit your exposure to direct, intense sunlight

3. Try to find movement and engage in regular physical exercise for 30-45 minutes a day

4. Try to maintain a regular eating schedule with nutritious foods to help keep your sleep, mood, and energy levels balanced

5. Take advantage of the summer weather and find something you would normally do inside and take it outside

6. Reach out to friends and family and schedule times to communicate or hang out with them

7. Make time for activities that bring you joy

All the best,

Mandy

Learning To Let Go: How To Practice Yoga Nidra For Deeper Relaxation

Learn more on The Chalkboard Mag

Favorite Grounding Strategy at the Moment

Listening to music that brings positive feelings. When you’re fully present and listening to music, you’re in the here and now. A fun way to incorporate this into your daily routine is by making a Summer ‘23 playlist and listening to it while you’re doing an activity or with others.

Listen

In this “The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos” podcast episode, Dr. Santos and Katie Couric talk about defining the word ‘happiness’ and the steps to reach it. Listen here.

Daily Affirmation

If you're in Maryland and looking to discuss therapy options, you can find me at Mindful Therapy Collective.