For the rest of the summer I’ll be sharing a series on intentional time expenditures. From reflecting on the halfway mark of 2019 to steps I’m taking to prepare for the fall, I’ll share with you various ways I’m spending my time throughout these summer months to stay well, productive, and fulfilled.
Having lived the majority of my life thus far in places with four seasons, I’ve learned that each season requires unique attention to be paid to wellbeing.
Summer, for example, especially with the extreme temperatures we’ve experienced in recent years, has me thinking about my wellbeing in specific ways.
Here are five ways I am taking care of myself this summer.
1. Stick To A Sleep Schedule
You might have heard this before, and there is plenty of research to back the neurological, biological, and psychological benefits of maintaining a regular pattern of sleep.
In the summer I need to be especially intentional about this, otherwise I easily get off track.
For one thing, it stays lighter later. This naturally makes me feel more awake and energized at an hour of the night when I’m usually getting ready for bed.
This also means that we feel drawn to pull longer days. If we’re getting up at our usual times and then staying up later, in the long run we’re losing a lot of sleep.
Though it can be difficult, I’ve found that setting boundaries to maintain a pretty regular sleep schedule helps me to stay consistently energized, productive, present, and well.
2. Staying Safe In The Heat
I don’t know about you, but when it’s nice out, I certainly want to spend time outside. Whether inside or outside, exercising or stationary, I need to pay extra attention to how the heat impacts my body.
Social psychologist Robert Levine has found, in his study of geographical time perspectives, that high temperatures are associated with slower paces of life.
When summer hits, we need to adjust our pace accordingly. For some this might mean big changes, for others, not so much. But the point here is that weather takes energy. Our bodies react differently to heat than to mild temperatures than to cold.
We need to be aware of our limits and navigate our time wisely to stay healthy and well in the heat.
3. Staying Hydrated
I get so confused when I hear people say things like, “I don’t drink water because I don’t like the taste,” or, “I always forget to drink water.”
I’m not passing judgment, but from my experience I am very aware of a drop in mental, physical, and emotional energy and focus when I am dehydrated.
During the summer I am nearly always within a couple feet of my water bottle.
While I don’t track how much water I drink every day, (a system that can work well for people trying to get into the habit of drinking more) I am intentional about keeping easy access to make it hard not to keep drinking.
I also, especially in the summer, make sure to drink equal parts (at least) water to any dehydrating beverage I consume.
4. Making Time to Be Alone
Summer tends to beckon a flourish of activities, events, trips, and increased time for interactions with others.
While I adore these opportunities to connect with friends and family and colleagues in ways that aren’t always possible in other seasons, I recognize I need to balance this with time alone.
As an introvert this alone time is especially important. Not only is the heat impacting my energy (as I addressed in #2) but these extra opportunities for socializing can quickly wear me down.
Even for extroverts, it is important to take this alone time in the bustle of the summer.
This alone time allows us to sustain our energy throughout the season, and not be entirely burnt out by the time fall rolls around.
5. Not Being Too Hard On Myself
Summer brings about environmental shifts beyond just a temperature change. Energy is different, time is different, and our interactions and activities tend to adjust to the summer months.
While I am a proponent of schedules and goals and whatnot, I also need to remind myself to take it easy.
It’s okay if I slip out of my normal sleep schedule because I’m on vacation or because the rest of my routine has adjusted to the summer.
I don’t need to feel guilty for ditching my to-do lists and schedule to give myself space to just be and enjoy entirely unstructured time.
Though I still maintain my goals and responsibilities, I recognize my wellbeing thrives when I don’t put pressure on myself to maintain a schedule and routine that doesn’t fit the summer season.
How do you maintain your wellbeing in the summer?