It feels like we count down the days for Summer to arrive. I know I tend to fantasize about having time off work, going to the beach, having BBQ's and drinks with friends, not worrying about late nights. But every year, somewhere between the heat, the endless social engagements and lack of structure, I get to the point where my idea of "summer life" is better than the reality of it all. I end up feeling exhausted without realizing it. 

If you've caught yourself thinking "Why am I so tired? I'm meant to be having fun. I'm meant to be feeling relaxed"... these little "habits" we fall into could be the culprits. 

 

Habit #1 Overbooking Ourselves 🗓️

It all starts so innocently and with good intentions. 

"Sure, I can do brunch!"
"Absolutely, I'll come to the BBQ!"
"Of course I'll come out for pool day!"

Suddenly, your weekend is a blur and you're rushing from one place to the next without a moment to breathe. By mid-afternoon you're a little sunburned, sweaty (and possibly chaffing), and secretly wishing you stayed home. 

It's interesting to me how when we say yes to things, it makes us feel more fun, more popular, when oftentimes it takes up so much social battery, we feel completely worn out. 

What do I do about it? 

If you're a people pleaser (like me) and really don't like the feeling of letting people down, instead of saying yes and committing straight away, give yourself time to properly make your decision. 

Saying something like "Let me have a look at my calendar, and I'll get back to you" allows you to give yourself space to pause and think things through. You can ask yourself the crucial questions... "Do I have enough time to devote to this?" and most importantly "Do I actually want to do this?"

Choosing fewer plans and making sure you give yourself time to rest and recuperate from the things you've already committed to feels a lot better than trying to squeeze everything in.

 

Habit #2 Wearing A Social Mask 🥸

Social pressure is real. It's easy to slip into a mask that's always smiley, cheerful and upbeat, when on the inside you're feeling like you want to be anywhere else but there. Falling into the trap of putting on a front to push through can happen automatically without realizing. But when I do this too much, my battery gets drained, I end up dreading having to go to the event, and when I'm there, I'm not present because I'm busy putting on a performance of 'everything is great!'. 

The problem is when you do this too often, it starts to hollow you out. Physically you're there, but mentally you're somewhere else. Yes you laugh, you participate but at the end of the day, you realize that it didn't fill up your cup. It's not anyone else's fault, it's just because you didn't have enough resources to give, and didn't have the ability to absorb the good energy given to you. 

How do I stop myself from doing this?

Letting yourself opt out sometimes, shortening plans instead of cancelling them entirely, making sure when you're locking things in, you allow yourself "days off" all end up helping avoid energy annihilation. 

Protecting your energy is important because when you do commit to a social plan, it means you'll be present and genuinely enjoy the experience. 

 

Habit #3 Ignoring Discomfort 🥵

We are all too familiar with that one drop of sweat that starts at your chest and makes its way all the way down your body to your feet, making you realize just how sweaty and potentially smelly you must be. The sticky skin, the clothes clinging to all the worst places and the constant awareness of our bodies because everything is hotter, tighter, more unruly in summer is a lot to handle. 

At first these discomforts aren't a big deal, but with enough time, you are over it! The discomforts starts stacking up and they end up making you moody, grumpy, less patient, more self-conscious and overall not feeling very 'you'. 

What can I do to feel more comfortable?

I think we all need to take more advantage of things like staying in the shade, but most importantly, being in indoor spaces with air-conditioning! In saying that, even in places like shopping centres, I can still sweat a lot. I've found that by keeping little helpers in my bag like the Cottons Organic Intimacy Wipes for a quick refresh can make a huge difference. I end up feeling cleaner, fresher and a lot less self conscious. 

 

Habit #4 Bye Bye Routine ⏰

Every year no matter what, my routine goes out the window. I end up going to bed later (I don't need a bedtime anymore... or do I?), I sleep in because of it, my meal times are sporadic, I'm less committed to the gym because it's so hot and I'm constantly sweating, for some bizarre reason I stop flossing my teeth, and even my skincare routine (something I normally cherish) gets completely neglected. 

At first it feels freeing, but after a while I feel like I'm completely neglecting myself. 

It's time for a gentle reset

Instead of trying to get everything back on track all at once, I like to pick one or two things to slowly help me get started. For example, I'll wake up and make sure to meditate instead of reaching for my phone, and I'll pair that with flossing my teeth before bed time. These small additions help me to create a bit of structure and momentum to continue building my routine again. 

 

Habit #5 Snacking All Day 🍦

When it's hot, all I want to do is consume iced coffee, fizzy drinks, ice-cream and fish 'n' chips. They're yummy, they're easy, they're cooling, they're comforting and they're not super heavy foods. But do I feel good on this diet that lacks pretty much all nutrients? Well, I'm sure you know the answer to that one.

Bring back a little balance

Instead of focusing on cutting out everything and doing a diet of only whole foods, I prefer to just try and include at least one proper meal into my day. It can be a chicken salad, a smoothie with eggs on toast, yoghurt with honey and fruit. Whatever it is, it helps because you still get to eat the things that help you deal with the heat, and your body thanks you for the thoughtful meals and nutrition it desperately needs.

 

Habit #6 Summer ☀️ vs Periods 🩸

I love being able to wear lighter clothes in summer, but when it comes to having my period... it can create a lot more anxiety. Yes, lighter, thinner, brighter coloured clothes brings movement and keeps me feeling cooler, but it does make me feel more aware of my body, especially when I have my period and all I can think about is "Did I leak?"

Is there a way to reduce my anxiety?

Wearing darker coloured clothes always helps, so if you do leak, it's less noticeable. Also choosing period products that are breathable, absorbent and reliable in the heat makes a big difference. I like wearing Cottons Organic Tampons for days I want to go swimming or Cottons Organic Ultra-Thin Pads for when I go out for brunch or to the gym. For me, using products that are comfortable and ones you trust is something that significantly reduces my stress and anxiety around my period. I love that I get to continue doing things I enjoy without worrying about leaking anymore. 

 

Habit #7 Trying To Live Up To The Summer Hype 🌈

I don't know about you but I feel like there's this unspoken expectation that summer is a time where you should be super happy and carefree constantly. But honestly, some days are just... blah. It's too hot, too noisy, I'm too grumpy, it's just too much... and that's normal. 

Letting go of the idea that summer has to be only good vibes can take the pressure off. Some days are more adventurous and social, and some days are devoted to doing absolutely nothing. And that's okay!

Maybe the goal isn't to have the perfect summer. Maybe it's just to notice when things start to feel "off", and to give ourselves the permission to slow down the pace a little. 

I think it's important to have less pushing, less pretending and less focus on trying to live up to our (unrealistic) summer expectations, and incorporate more comfort, more ease and more moments that actually feel good.