10 Ways to Recharge This Summer

June is in full swing, the school/program year is closing out, kiddos are headed home, and vacations are commencing…what do YOU have planned? For many of us, summer is either already here or almost here and, usually, is a time to reset and recharge. Easier said than done, but there are many simple ways to do this. We are all different, which means we recharge in our own way – there is no “one-size-fits-all.” And even with one strategy, there can be more than one way to approach it. So, while the simple tips below are ones you have most certainly seen before, we invite you to try them in ways that make the most sense to you. It’s your time, your energy, and your choice…and if you are someone who will be continuing the very essential work of caring for young children over the next few months, we still encourage you to do at least a few of these things to help you recharge this summer.

1. Rest. We don’t just mean to try and get a good night’s sleep here. That is important, yes, but did you know there are different types of rest? Take mental rest as one example. You usually spend so much time processing information, solving problems, and making decisions. Try doing something that doesn’t require brainwork…let your mind wander…daydream! Then we encourage you to investigate the other types of rest.
2. Laugh. A smile, a giggle, a full laugh, a crying laugh…try to get them all in. And remember that this is based on your individual humor. What makes you laugh? If you need a starting point, our team always recommends watching a baby laugh. We dare you NOT start laughing along with him or her. Head to YouTube and search “baby laughing.” We promise it won’t disappoint.
3. Take a break from technology/screens. How many of you go from looking at a computer screen, to looking at your phone screen, to looking at a TV screen? Everyone always talks about screentime these days, particularly when talking about children, but the same goes for us grown-ups. Give your eyes a break!
4. Get outside and explore nature. “Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished.” –Lao Tzu. Whether it’s for a hike, a walk, or if you’re just sitting on a bench, get outdoors! Connecting with or simply observing nature can do more for you than you may think. Take that quote, for example. Nature can remind us to slow down, take a breath, enjoy the beauty of this world, and understand that we don’t have to be always on-the-go.
5. Spend time with family/friends. And we mean specific family/friends who help recharge you. We all have people in our lives who can either add to your “battery” or deplete it. If you’re trying to recharge this summer, pay attention to who you’re spending your time with. It does matter!
6. Enjoy some quiet/alone time. This is just as important as number five! Remember that you should spend time with yourself as well (we’re sure this is key for introverts). Use this time to reflect on the school/program year that just past, what your plans are for the summer, what you’re looking forward to in the fall, etc. You could also just pair this activity with your nature activity!
7. Reorganize/declutter/clean. This may not appeal to everyone, but it can be an effective strategy for recharging! Change the layout of your home, clean out that closet or drawer you’ve been meaning to clean forever, clear out items you no longer use or need. Just think “clean space, clear mind.”
8. Listen to and/or sing along to music. Your choice here! Music can truly do wonders. Just listening to it is effective but, if appropriate, we highly suggest singing and dancing too. Select music that YOU love, and we also recommend exploring out into new territory. There is plenty to discover. You might just come across a new artist or musical category that fits your vibe!
9. Read. Another option, with options! You could read a physical book, or you could read on a digital device. Read fiction or non-fiction, read a magazine or newspaper. Seriously, the options are almost endless. This is also something you could do simultaneously with taking a technology/screens break. And just like with the music option, read something that you know you enjoy, then try reading something out of your comfort zone. Bonus points if you drudge up an old diary or journal of yours and read that!
10. Write/journal/color. Because we know that journaling isn’t for everyone, we added the option of coloring. When’s the last time you colored? Well, if journaling isn’t for you (while it is a great strategy for recharging and reflecting), we suggest looking into coloring books. While children’s coloring books work, we do hope you know that coloring books for grown-ups exist too! And remember this…don’t be afraid to color outside the lines.

No matter what you choose to do this summer, we sincerely hope you make time for some of these activities. We know that you can do many of these simultaneously, so that should make it easier, right? Just know that whether you are working this summer or not, you deserve the time to recharge. And as was mentioned at the beginning of this post, take these options, and make them your own. We wish you all a wonderful summer and, as always, we thank you for the important work you do.