Keeping Your Summer Stress Free

We all are rather in the same boat when it comes to summer. We spend the rest of the year anticipating the wonderful, idyllic days of June, July and August, believing that they will help us to reduce our stress back to normal human levels and allow us to feel better and happier as we head back to September. Come to find out summer really can work that kind of magic, if we do a little pre-summer planning .

When people look ahead to summer they usually begin by thinking about what special things they will we do or what special places they will visit. Nothing wrong there until those questions are answered by giving consideration to everyone else but yourself. It is fine to be thoughtful, it makes a peaceful existence more likely and according to most moral codes it's just the right thing to do. You should see summer as a time to spend time doing things the spouse, the kids, the friends, the intimate partner want to do. There is real joy in that for everyone.

Thing is you'll make those plans with a much wider grin on your face if somewhere in the planning you are able to include a few things in your life that give you special pleasure. Whether it's that seaside serving of fried clams, a long peaceful walk on your favorite beach or time to wander purposelessly in a book store of your choosing, it is important to find a way to include those activities.

You don't need to feel guilty or selfish. You have the same exposure to the pressures of the world all year long as everyone else. It's wrong to think that you don't have the need to release some of that built up pressure. So plan that long, lazy day at the spa or that equally relaxing time on the links. Don't squeeze it in, don't have to cut it short. Plan your time with consideration for others and politely ask others to respect that de-stressing schedule. It can be done.

If you don't make a dent in your own list of "Things I Really Want to Do" then you will end up frustrated, annoyed, short-tempered and more stressed in September than you were in May and you may start holding other people responsible . Treat yourself like you do everyone else in your close family or personal circle, like a human being.

While your planning you might also reverse your thought process and instead of considering all the things you might like to do, consider reviewing the things you definitely don't want to do, that are a part of your regular, stress filled week during the rest of the year. Stands to reason that getting rid of any of those items can only make things better.

For example you probably don't want to waste time on the phone or computer when you could be out enjoying the sunshine and fresh air. It's no fun to realize that the best days of the year have fled by while you haven't done anything to take advantage of them. Less time connected to electronic devices of all kinds is likely to help reduce our overall stress level.

Don't stress over the details involved in planning everything you do . Why not replace some of the time spent planning, actually doing. Sounds like a way to de-stress to me.

If you are really brave you can take a swipe at dumping a chore during the summer months. Choose something that really is stressful for you - carpooling, hauling the trash, daily meal prep, bill paying. In most cases the chore still needs to get done so arrange to swap it off to another family member. Sometimes even a change of responsibilities can feel like a load off.

Only you know the things that tend to wear you down during the rest of the year. Summer can be a time to pull the trap door on as many of those things as possible.

The combination of actually doing some of the things that give you great enjoyment , helping family members to do things that they enjoy and getting rid of a few things that tax you can add up to the kind of summer you deserve, one that lowers your stress level and sets an example for summer vacations in the years ahead.