As Summer Comes to an End...

As much as I hate to say it, summer is nearing an end and fall is just around the corner. For some of us, summer is an isolating time, especially if we’re still in school. The social “norms” of high-school and college are no longer in place. It is often more difficult to see our friends, and even family, who may have moved back home for the summer or somewhere for an internship. Or maybe we moved, and maybe our old friendships from home have faded. Friends and family also take vacations, which can leave some of us more isolated at home. Even though fall, and the start of school, isn’t far away, we still have enough time left that we can learn to take advantage of our time off. Here are 6 ways that we can enjoy the rest of summer:

1. GO OUTSIDE. Being outside, in the sun, in nature, and away from our sofa can actually help us to feel better! Even just sitting outside in a park or on a porch can be uplifting.

2. GO ON A WALK. After you make it outside, you could try going on a walk. Physical exercise also helps to improve mood. It also gets you outside. And you do not have to make this a social outing, if you prefer. You can always practice mindfulness while on a walk by being mindful of your surroundings (hopefully there is some nature around you!). Always remember to walk in safe areas!

3. READ A BOOK. No, not a textbook. Read a book for your enjoyment. There are free e-books all over the Internet, free to download. This means you will have to shut off the television, YouTube, etc.

4. CREATE. Try creating something new! You can make something artistic or even write something. Even trying one thing or writing one sentence. Something is always more than nothing!

5. CALL/TEXT/EMAIL/FACEBOOK MESSAGE/SNAPCHAT A FRIEND. Feeling like you’re disconnected? Then re-connect. Maybe you have a friend from the past whom you haven’t spoken to in years. Or maybe you have a friend from the previous school year whom you’ve lost touch with. A friendly, “Hi, how are you?” is a nice gesture. Now, we can’t make people respond back, but we can acknowledge our effort and know that we tried to connect or re-connect with someone. And we can always try again, with the same person or someone else.

6. MAKE PLANS. This is the next step after contacting someone; you can then ask them if they want to meet up sometime. You could grab coffee, go on a walk, or visit somewhere you both used to hang out. There are many options. But, you will not be able to make plans if you don’t try to re-connect. So start reaching out!

You can always find something else off this list, too! Actively participating in positive behaviors can help you to enjoy the rest of the summer, and even the rest of the year. Only you can make the steps toward the change. And maybe some of your friends or acquaintances feel similar to you! Maybe they feel isolated and don’t know what to do to feel more connected. You never know how things will turn out until you try. Even then you cannot control the outcome. However, you will have a higher change of improving your own mood by activation behaviors that get you moving, learning, creating, and connecting. Oftentimes our own anxieties and fears inhibit us from doing things. In accepting those anxieties and fears we can allow room for them without letting them control our lives. The outcome from participating in positive behaviors often overweighs the anxieties/fears in the first place! It’s up to you to make the move!