Summer can bring opportunities that help us to choose on how we spend our time in a different way. Choosing these seasonal activities is a wonderful way to help to manage and improve depression. Some of the top summer activities that can have a positive effect on depression are:
Exercise.
Make the choice to get moving will always bring a positive effect on our bodies. Some days that may require us to push a little harder to get moving but will always be worth the effort we put into it. Summer brings some fun activities we can try to get in some of our needed daily movement.
What about trying some of these activities:
- Biking
- Hiking
- Paddle boarding
- Swimming
- Tubing
- Kayaking
- Tennis
- Softball
- Baseball
Many of the fun activities we loved as kids, would be a great way to enjoy time with our family and friends.
Creating Time for Mindfulness.
With the longer days, it can bring more time in the evening to spend relaxing, exhaling and choosing activities that can bring more awareness to our bodies and our minds. These activities can also be done outside in the warmer weather. Some of those activities can be:
- Yoga or stretching
- Meditation
- Breathing exercises
- Journaling about your summer, your dreams, and your feelings
Rest.
Longer summer days can allow more time to rest. Rest does not always mean sleeping but can also be sitting on your porch reading a book or laying in your hammock enjoying the breeze and the sunshine. It can also be a slower pace that can come with the summer months.
More Time for Social Activities.
The longer summer days and the warmer weather can bring more opportunities to schedule activities and enjoy time with friends and family. The longer daylight hours provide time during the workweek for gatherings. Some wonderful ways to gather with friends and family include:
- Getting coffee
- Meeting to try to new restaurant
- Going for a walk downtown
- Enjoying an outdoor play
- Singing with your favorite musical artist at an outdoor concert
- Going to sporting events
- Playing together weekly on a volleyball or softball league
- Sitting on the porch with some lemonade catching up
Getting Out in Nature.
Summertime is a wonderful time to get outside more and enjoy the nature all around you. Nature can have a relaxing and healing effect on many. Enjoying the plants and trees and seeing all the new growth after a long winter can remind us of seasons of new growth. Taking the time to see the beauty around us in nature can lift our moods. Some great summer ways to enjoy nature are:
- Walking in the parks around your house
- Going camping
- Having a picnic
- Enjoy a day at the lake fishing and swimming
- Hiking
- Strolling on the beach
- Birdwatching
- Gardening
Creativity.
The summer can also bring time to resume or try something new creativity. The longer days can give you extra time to resume an activity you have enjoyed in the past or maybe a chance to try something new. Some creative pursuits can be:
- listening to music
- writing
- drawing
- painting
- making pottery
- doing crafts
- restoring an old car
- making furniture
- doing home improvements
Any activity that gets your mind thinking in a creative way is an effective tool to help with depression.
Getting Organized.
Summer can bring a surge of energy and focus on getting things declutter and organized. It similar to spring cleaning. It can be a time to evaluate how things are working and possibly donate or sell unused items and organize or use what you do keep in a different way that may work better for you know.
New Routines.
Summer can also be a wonderful time to evaluate your daily routines. To see what is working for you and if you may want to try something new. Sometimes we can be ready to try do things a little different and summer can bring the opportunity to try out those ideas. With the days longer and the pace a little more relaxed, it can be easier to try new things and adapt as needed.
These are a few ideas that can possibly help with managing depression. If you have tried some of these ideas before and feel like maybe you need some help, our therapists would be happy to meet with you. Often having someone with fresh eyes help evaluate can bring some needed focus and possible ideas and tools that you may not have tried before. Having someone to talk with is so important as you walk through this journey. For more information please click on https://upstaterestorativecounseling.com/depression/