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Recently, the Association held a picnic for members to relax and unwind this summer. Truly, many people see the summer as a time to rejuvenate from the stress of the Spring semester. Still, many students at this time of the year face some level of seasonal depression. Some students may work twice as hard to clear the following Fall semester load or hustle for internships and co-ops to build their professional brand. But amidst all the pressure to get things done and prove ourselves to our peers, we could get burned out. 

Some others could have devoted themselves entirely to chilling out this summer. But now, they realize that 3 months is a long time to stay cooped up inside watching movies or playing video games–all day, every day.

If you notice that you are now finding it hard to wake up every morning or you’re dragging your feet mindlessly from one activity to the next, here are a few things you can do to regain a peaceful summer:

1. Meditate: It may slip your mind since you’re thinking of learning something new or having as much fun as possible before school starts. Still, our brains need rest from the constant activity we find ourselves in. Make time from your day to clear your head and reflect on your feelings. It may help to play some meditative music from Youtube. Let the one skill you learn this summer be the ability to do nothing.
2. Connect with family and friends: We forget that although being a student qualifies as a full-time career, we are not machines. It can be hard to keep up motivation if you don’t see people around you as you used to during the semester. Calling a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while can be an excellent way to keep your spirits up during the day. Another good thing would be to attend ASA summer events and have fun with everyone!
3. Step outside: Some people got jobs this summer that require them to stay indoors for hours till they head back home at the end of the day. Lack of sunlight naturally decreases mood and may cause some semblance of fatigue and loneliness. Try as much as possible to get a few minutes of the outdoors every day. Take a five-minute walk, eat lunch at a park, or just sit on a bench and enjoy the morning sun. You will feel much better simply by letting your blood circulate in your legs and experiencing the world around you.
4. Sleep well: We have a lot of freedom during the summer, which can usually lead to us sleeping too much or too little. And sometimes, this can make us feel sluggish or tired during the day. As much as the mind needs rest, we must give the body adequate time to recuperate after a day’s activities. Getting about 6-8 hours of sleep daily leaves you well-rested and energized to tackle the world.

You can take care of yourself and enjoy a well-rounded summer in many ways. Most importantly, remember that summer is a time to unwind and recharge. Hopefully, we’ll all have a good summer!