Hate the Summer? 8 Helpful Tips to Survive the Dog Days of Summer

​People wait all year for this. People claim that it’s their favorite time of year. As a kid, I would’ve wholeheartedly agreed with them. Bot now as an adult, I would beg to differ.
 
Summertime. It’s supposed to bring the onset of more carefree days. The nights are shorter, the days are longer, the sunlight is stronger and it’s time for the masses to hit the great outdoors. The campsites are full and the beaches are packed. And if you’re a late riser, forget trying to find a parking space at your favorite park. Now, I’m fully aware that I might be in the minority when I say this, but to say that I am not a fan of summertime would be a great understatement…
 
Aside from the aforementioned issues, it’s the bugs. It’s the relentless chorus of buzzing cicadas. It’s the kids constantly shrieking outside my window (I was once one of those kids, so I get it!). It’s the frequent thunderstorms (and let’s not forget fireworks) that send my dog cowering.
 
But worst of all, it’s the sweltering heat and suffocating humidity. Any other season you can simply add layers and adjust accordingly to maintain a comfortable inner temperature. But in the summertime, there are only so many articles of clothing that can be safely removed before the authorities intervene and deem you a questionable character. 

​But the problem is, I am one of those people that needs to spend time outdoors in order to maintain my sanity. Nature is where I rejuvenate my mind, body and soul and it’s also how I recharge my introvert batteries. It’s how I stay healthy, both physically and mentally. Long brisk walks are how I organize my thoughts and come up with solutions to life’s many daily problems. It’s when I daydream and it’s when I can let my creative juices flow freely. So, you might relate to what happens to me in the summertime if you too find yourself depleted of energy this time of year and are just left feeling “meh”.
 
As it turns out, prolonged excessive heat and humidity can not only leave you feeling drained and lethargic, but it can also be dangerous. Even if you’re one of those peppy fans of summertime, you can still succumb to the consequences of too much of a good thing if you aren’t careful. For all of you kindred spirits out there who feel like me during this season, the good news is there are ways to not only get through this season, but to even appreciate it for what it is.
 
​ 8 tips on how to survive the dog days of summer:

1.) Hydrate! This one may seem obvious and overstated but unless you are making a conscientious effort to drink more fluids, it’s easy to think you are drinking enough when you are not. Remember that you sweat imperceptibly throughout the day, even when you’re inside on a hot day. These fluids need to be replenished, even when you are not feeling thirsty.

Fatigue and lethargy can be signs that you are dehydrated too. There are days when I feel like my beloved wilted plants. But just like them, just a little bit of water has the ability to perk me right up again! Current recommendations say women should drink 2.7 liters of water per day and men 3.7. Of course, this can vary based on your activity levels but it’s a great place to start!

2.) Consider your electrolytes. When we sweat, we don’t just lose water. We also lose electrolytes like sodium, potassium, chloride, phosphate and magnesium. Hydration means also being mindful of these minerals. In the summer, you can add drinks with electrolytes but be sure to read the labels so you’re not consuming too much sugar.

3.) Consider the possibility of deficiencies and supplements. You may want to check with your healthcare provider first on this one. But for me, I used to often feel short of breath and lightheaded in the summertime. This is most likely because our blood vessels dilate in the heat and blood can have a harder time circulating. Blood pressure also tends to be lower in the summertime. But when I started taking iron supplements, this annoying and sometimes worrying problem went away soon enough.

4.) Get enough sleep. I always find that the quality of my sleep deteriorates during the warmer months. Usually, it’s because my electric bill is high enough when my AC runs incessantly throughout the daytime hours so I used to be reluctant to turn up the AC any further at nighttime out of fear my monthly bill would skyrocket beyond what I deemed reasonable.

But when I realized that lack of sleep was negatively impacting my daily life, I bit the bullet and made my bedroom cooler at night. I also invested in fans and now I can view that AC bill as money well spent if it means I did it for my health and wellbeing.

​5.) Keep FOMO in check. Social media can exacerbate Fear of Missing Out during any time of year, but I find this to be particularly true in the summer when people tend to be out and about more. To combat this, just do what makes you feel content and fulfilled. If you are all “peopled out” and don’t feel like going to that barbecue then just say no. Preserve your sanity at all costs, even if that means having to say no sometimes.

​Remember that most people aren’t even having as much fun as they appear to be! But having said this, also be sure to say yes to some invites, even when you may not necessarily feel like going. Rarely in life do we regret novel experiences with those whom we cherish. 

6.) Plan to venture out in early mornings and late evenings. Unfortunately, my dog has yet to learn how to use a toilet (we are still working on “Shake” almost 6 years in!), which means we have no choice but to go outside each and every day. Like me, she also gets incredibly restless when spending too much time indoors. This summer we became even earlier birds by heading outside shortly after sunrise and it’s made a huge difference in our comfort levels. I’ve found that the cooler temps are definitely worth waking up early for if you need your daily dose of nature like I do.

7.) Embrace indoor workouts. Those early morning and late evening walks are still limited in distance and duration because of the oppressive heat. But the benefits of exercise are year-round, which means that workouts can’t just stop for a whole season. As a result, I’ve learned so many different indoor workouts this summer, my favorite being my new aerobic step workouts, which I never would’ve tried had I remained in my summertime moping, “woe is me” mindset that I started the summer off with.

8.) Remember that this too shall pass! Now would be as good a time as any to start planning your cooler weather excursions. Take advantage of your enthusiasm and yearning for nature to plan your ideal getaways for the fall. These getaways don’t have to be extravagant or expensive.

I like to maintain a list of all of my favorite outdoor local spots and one by one check them off throughout the fall. I also plan to try out Hipcamp for the first time and try my hand at camping. Life is great when you have things to look forward to and this couldn’t be truer than during the dog days of summer! 

And to all my anti-summer likeminded friends out there, perhaps most important of all is fostering a continued sense of gratitude, regardless of what the seasons of life throw our way. I’ve found that 'Hygge-ness' (coziness) and simple pleasures can still be found in the summertime, even if you aren’t summer’s biggest fan.
 
Relishing some of these simple summer pleasures can keep you mentally and spiritually healthy and happy. This means seeking out those experiences that are uniquely attributed to summer and that feed your soul.

Some examples of fun, healthy summertime activities include:

• Barbecuing with friends and loved ones

• Dancing the night away at outdoor concerts

• Biking down a beautiful path with the cool wind in your hair, letting your cares and worries slip right past you

• Reading on a hammock in the shade with a tall glass of homemade lemonade

• Beach days, if you’re lucky enough to live near an ocean. Or any other body of water will do too!

• Boating/kayaking excursions (this can double as a great upper body workout!)

• Picnicking with healthy sandwiches and juicy, refreshing fruits and veggies from your local farmer’s market

• Hitting the open road with the windows down and your favorite songs and your favorite people…road trip!

• Picking wildflowers and making your very own bouquet

• Experiencing the awe of new growth all around you and nurturing your happy houseplants

• Catching lightning bugs with your children

• Absorbing the many benefits of vitamin D and basking in the sunlight

• Finding new swimming holes and/or tubing down a lazy river with your best friends

​

• Taking advantage of the potentially increased productivity that comes with longer days

 
These are just some of the beautiful moments that we can be grateful for while we eagerly await that first fallen leaf. Let us never forget to seize each day and to not forget to enjoy the present moment. While summer is clearly not my favorite time of year, there are ways to make it (almost) as enjoyable as the other seasons.

​Need a little bit of extra help in getting motivated to adopt healthier habits? Be sure to check out AndiamoFit’s Healthy Habits workbooks!