The weather is blistering hot, the vacation (or lack there of) is causing conflict among friends or family and your lack of interest in work has only doubled your workload. Are you experiencing summer stress?

Well you’re not alone. Right now there are millions of people just like you who are dealing with the reality of summer stress, except you have an advantage over them; you’re reading this article and when you’re done reading, you’ll take the next steps needed to beat the summer blues.

These are the times when the kids are at home and are looking for something to do. These are the times when seemingly everyone talks about their vacation plans leaving you resentful. These are the times when you’re teetering on burnout because you quite simply need a break.

Give Yourself A Break!

So, why don’t you take a break? What’s stopping you? In these times, you need to seek some comfort. That might be at the pool, inside with the air conditioning, outside reading a good book, or away on a vacation.

If money’s the stressor (and often it is), that’s no excuse. No one said you had to go to an exotic place to relieve stress. Last I checked, taking a stroll through a park, watching a youth baseball game or participating in one of the many community events and activities is a healthy and free way to get your mind off the routine and often that’s all you’ll need.

Short of that, taking up a new hobby or reviving an old one will certainly ease your stress. If you’re looking for ideas, just think of things you’re passionate about – a sport, game, activity or otherwise – then make it happen and ensure that it is embedded into your routine. It’s been suggested that scheduling a weekly family games night will give you something to look forward to during the week and lets you and your family unwind together.

Don’t Overbook Yourself.

The summer months can be full of activities, parties and barbecues. It’s easy to lose track of your health and overexert yourself when you really shouldn’t. This means you need to watch your diet, be cautious outside in the excessive heat, and leave extra time so you can unwind and catch up on household errands.

If you go on a vacation, strive to find the right balance between enjoyment and the creation of additional stress. We tend to organize our trips with lots of sightseeing activities and early mornings coupled with late nights. While it may be fun to experience as many sights and sounds as possible, try doing one or two fewer so you can enjoy each activity even more without feeling rushed or stressed. You shouldn’t have to take a vacation from a vacation!

The key to resolving summer stress is to be aware of your physical and emotional needs. Don’t neglect yourself, otherwise you’ll be tacking on another load of unnecessary stress. Always remember that taking a few hours a week to relax should not cause guilt!