Summer in Texas is a staple that we need now more than ever!
Despite all of this uncertainty, it is more important than ever to protect your mental health and spend time with those you hold most dear. If you’re feeling exhausted and emotionally overspent, know you are not alone. We want to encourage you to prioritize your own mental health because you have nothing to give to others without filling your own cup first.
With The Houston Health Department reporting more than 1,789 new cases of COVID-19 in June, we also want to urge our community to stay safe and remain diligent on the prevention-front.
In favor of this optimistic mentality, we wanted to offer you some ways to beat the heat from the comforts of home.
Quick and easy ideas for your Summer calendar are:
Get Crafty– Do not allow yourself to feel trapped inside. Get outdoors and enjoy the vitamin D of Summer. You can do any of these activities outside:
- Paint birdhouses
- Color meld with art on wood
- Start a garden
- Do a photoshoot
- Play with clay
- Start a sketch diary for Summer, sketching wildflowers you find
- Learn to play an instrument or start a family band
- Get creative!
Use Your Brain – If you are a parent, it may feel like ages since your kids haven't been in school. Do not allow this lull in educational-focus to become a long-term habit. Create an environment in which learning is exciting and fun for everyone. Ideas for this include:
- Read together
- Learn a new skill as a family
- Find games and riddles to keep your brains active
- Start a puzzle together that you work on together every day, even if for a few minutes
- Start gathering homework and reading for the upcoming school year, getting the kids acclimated for the academic demands that will be returning in no time!
Get Moving – Whether you want to take a walk around the neighborhood or do some of these activities from home, it is essential to move your body! Some ways to do this include:
- Join an online aerobics, yoga, or fitness class
- Jump rope
- Set up mini-golf in the apartment
- Fly a kite in the park
- Take a stroll around the block
- Create a treasure hunt to follow around the house
- Go for a bike ride, even if stationary
- Schedule a daily time for dance parties
Laughter, kindness, and joy are some of the most healing remedies for difficult times. There are many things out of our control during this period of the rapidly-evolving social landscape,but we can always control our outlook on these obstacles.