Things to remember this summer (and every summer!)
It’s that time of year again when people are getting excited about summer holidays, long breaks from school, college or uni and afternoon BBQs with family and friends. However, for some, the summer months are a time of anxiety and discomfort. So, if you find yourself counting down the days until the nights draw in and the pressure of summer socialisation has passed, this blog is for you!
The warmer (sometimes sunnier – although we are in the UK so there are no guarantees!!) months do bring a certain amount of social expectation so here are five things that I want you to remember if you are feeling the weight of that:
There is no correct beach body – There is a lot more pressure to be beach ready at this time of year but no one gets to decide what this means other than you. If you have a body then it’s already beach ready and despite what the media may have you believe, you have every right to show it off in whatever kind of swim attire you like the most, regardless of your size, shape or whatever else has caused you to believe you are less than perfect. Equally, if you feel more comfortable covering up, this is fine too. Regardless of the situation, you can show as much or as little skin as you wish.
You don’t have to attend every social event you are invited to – Some people love the thought of a weekly BBQ with everyone they know but, if you’re anything like me and you find social situations generally quite exhausting, then just the idea of this will be enough to wipe you out. For this reason I have a general rule that every other weekend at least (more if I can get away with it!) must be free from social events. Just because it’s summer doesn’t change the fact that I would rather be sat on my sofa with a book!
You don’t have to drink alcohol – There is much more pressure to “enjoy” a cheeky day-drinking session during these summer months but no social event comes with a rule that you must drink alcohol (well, unless it’s a wine tasting event but even then, if you want to sit an observe other people slowly getting blotto then this is fine too!) While moderate alcohol consumption can enhance any fun you are already having, if you feel you need alcohol to have a good time at a social event then it’s probably one you shouldn’t be attending in the first place (see my point above!). No one has the right to ridicule you for choosing not to drink or coerce you to “just have one little one” so if you feel anxious that this might happen, give yourself permission to politely decline that particular event.
Do stay hydrated though – One of the side effects of dehydration is heightened anxiety so do make sure that you are regularly drinking water (or squash if, like me, you find water uninspiring!). Sugary drinks, coffee and alcohol can all increase feelings of anxiety so if you are having a particularly difficult day with your mental health then it may be best to avoid these and stick to water.
Your exam results do not define you – For those that have recently finished end of year exams you may find yourself anxiously waiting for results day but remember, a number on a piece of paper does not define your worth. The truth is, not everyone will do as well as they hope to and I am no stranger to less than pleasing marks. However, despite what you may be feeling right now, you will still be able to get a good job, you can try again or you can choose to go in a completely different direction. Sure, if you don’t get the results you want it may set you back time wise from your chosen career path, but the great thing is, regardless of what level of education or training you are at, you do have time. There is no rule that says you have to be working in your dream job by the age of 25!
However you feel about summer, remember, you can continue to do whatever it is that brings you joy. If that’s frolicking in the sand showing off your fabulous beach body, go for it (just remember the sun cream!), or if it’s continuing to spend every spare moment curled up on your sofa with your head in a book, ignoring the world outside, this is a fine choice too!
