Creating A Stress-Free Summer

Five tips to reduce your stress this summer and still rock that Hawaiian print.

Summer isn’t only about swimming and vacations — it can be a stressful time for many people. If you are stressed this summer, try these five tips.

Stress is part of everyday life. In fact, sometimes it’s normal and not all bad. It can actually motivate people to prepare or perform. For example, stress may boost your performance when you take a test. It can even save lives in some situations.

However, stress can negatively affect your health. It can take a toll on your physical and mental well-being. If stress becomes chronic — meaning it lasts for too long — it starts to affect many systems in your body, such as your immune system. People under chronic stress tend to be more vulnerable to illnesses like the flu or the common cold.

Over time, continued strain on your body from routine stress may lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Because no one’s life is completely stress-free, it is important to know how to manage stress this summer and all year long.

School’s out and summer is here.

Who else is excited to be free of the chaos of homework, school projects, and after-school activities?

While summertime is a time to relax and unwind, it can also pose a challenge for parents whose kids now have a lot more free time. For stay-at-home parents, it might mean your child constantly seeks your attention or demands continuous entertainment. For working parents, it becomes the ultimate juggling act, trying to balance a full workload and quality family time.

Whichever your situation, here are some easy ideas for reducing stress and keeping everyone relaxed and happy this summer.

Learn to say no.

• Keep the commitments to a minimum and set some boundaries for yourself and others. You don’t need to cross everything off your to-do list. Pick one or two things to get done. And don’t accept every invitation that comes your way. Be selective of the things you choose to do or the activities your kids participate in. Don’t forget to set some limits with your kids, too. The Family taxi is on vacation!

Unplug to de-stress.

• We all tend to be glued to our phones and other electronics. Take some time every day to turn it off. Head outside with the kids and enjoy the nice weather (studies show getting outside makes you feel better). Be present and enjoy each other’s company. Not only will you feel less stressed, but this could help reduce your reliance on electronics in the future.

Keep a schedule.

• Don’t throw your regular routine out the window just because it’s summer. Keep a schedule that remains relatively the same every day. Adhere to a regular meal, bedtime, and wake-up schedule. Following a regular routine will keep kids healthy, happy, and stress-free, allowing them to make the most of their summer vacation.

Plan a staycation.

• Instead of adding the stress of travel to your summer schedule, consider a staycation. Explore your town and the surrounding area. Visit a local park, museum, or even the library. Many towns have free or low-cost activities and events during the summer months so take advantage of what your area has to offer.

Schedule family time.

• Set aside a specific time each day to do something as a family. Cook dinner together, have game night, do a puzzle or pop some popcorn and watch a movie. Fun family activities like these keep younger kids busy and teens engaged.

While life doesn’t stop during the summer, we can slow it down a bit and make time to relax, de-stress and re-energize before the chaos of the fall kicks…again. And remember they do go back to school, this too shall pass.

Happy summer!

Eric G Reid — Founder of Sucess Life U. and Skinny Brown Dog Media.