People always talk about the winter months being difficult in the sense of mental health, but the same can be said for summer but for very different reasons. In the summer, families tend to get together more, are on the go more, and constantly balancing schedules when the kids are home from school. Being busy can be an anxiety trigger and feelings of “FOMO” can be difficult for those who deal with mental health issues. As someone who has issues with anxiety, I wanted to reach out to this community and share a few tips for surviving the busier times and how to cope when it seems impossible.
Prepare
I find being prepared for multiple outcomes makes me feel a bit better when heading out for the day. Like making sure you have blankets in the car in the winter time, you can do similar things in the summer. Keep umbrellas handy, pack a cold bag with water and snacks for possible breakdowns. Let the kids bring a toy or book along for the ride in case you end up going a bit further than normal. Planning ahead to take the stress of the day right away.
Know Your Limits
Family events and gatherings with friends can be a blast, but not all situations are picture perfect. If you know you’ll be seeing someone you don’t typically get along with, set some limits for yourself. Talk with who you’ll be attending the event with and talk about your feelings. Having a go-to person is always helpful in stressful social situations. You can also set personal boundaries when it comes to communicating with people. You can be polite and kind without diving into a full-blown conversation with everyone you meet. Also, try and get a general idea of where you’re going. Being able to step away for a brief moment can be extremely therapeutic and help calm your nerves.
Make Time for Rest
Who said you HAD to be on the go all the time? Yes, you’re likely going to be asked to go and do fun things this summer, but you don’t have to do it all. Pick and choose between things you know will work well for your family as a whole. If it doesn’t meet your criteria, suggest something else, or politely decline the invite. Also, try not to feel like you’re missing out. There will always be more opportunities that may work better at a different time. If you know you’re feeling worn down, take the time you need to re-charge. Pushing yourself too far will only make things worse for you and those around you.
Have a “Person”
Not all of us have spouses or significant others to back us up. Having a “person” doesn’t mean you need to be romantically involved with them. They can be a friend, parent, or sibling that knows you and your mental health needs and can be there for you in varying capacities. Shoot them a text when you’re at a gathering for support. Have a monthly coffee date with them so you’re able to meet face-to-face and have quality time together and hash out life. You and your “person” can figure out what works best for you both.
While to some these seem extremely simple and kind of common sense, when you’re struggling with mental health issues, simple things aren’t that simple and you can easily feel overwhelmed. Ultimately remember to be gentle with yourself. Show yourself a little grace from time to time and be kind. You are worth so much to so many people and taking care of yourself in any capacity is important and looked at with admiration from those who love and know you. Have fun this summer and remember you’re never truly alone.
