With Summer comes boatloads of social functions craving—sometimes demanding—your attention. While many look forward to the non-stop interaction with friends, family, and strangers, others feel overwhelmed and drained by all the social activity. Add in the pressure of knowing you’re expected to attend ,and of having to muster the energy to do so, and you’ve got yourself an energetic meltdown waiting to happen. If you find yourself feeling stressed, rushed, and pressured to mingle, you’re not alone. Here are some tips to help you protect your own energy and survive the summer social season.
First and foremost, it’s important to stay nourished and hydrated whether your social calendar is full or not, and I don’t mean with fried food and alcohol. Summer is the time to soak up those delectable, juicy fruits, cruciferous veggies, and leafy greens. Add in some lean protein and distilled or spring water, and you’ve got yourself a recipe that’ll keep your energy tank filled so you can keep going as long as you want.
Secondly, don’t feel obligated to say “yes” to everything, and know that it is perfectly okay to say “no” when you need to! This is part of setting healthy boundaries and protecting the energy that makes you, well, you. Paying attention to how your body reacts when receiving an invitation or knowing an event is approaching will aid in this. If hesitancy or dread appears, that’s your body telling you not to go. On the other hand, if happiness and excitement appear, that’s your green light. Let your body be your guide on what’s worth saying “yes” to!
Next, don’t overcommit yourself. Doing so will only deplete you of every last ounce of energy you have. When that happens, we tend to lose control of our focus and emotions, thereby engaging in words or actions that might negatively affect other people, in addition to ourselves. If heavy socialization (or any socialization) leaves you feeling overstimulated and drained, it’s pertinent not to over-book yourself. Avoid the chaos and urgency by spacing out your outings and allowing some down time in between them.
It’s always a good idea to set some boundaries, like putting a time limit on how long you’ll stay at a particular function, or honoring your feelings when you get the urge to leave. Again, tuning into your energy and seeing how you feel will give you a good idea of what works for you and what doesn’t. Don’t overdo it, but don’t underdo it either. Everything in moderation.
To help stabilize your energy, it’s also a good idea to bring a friend with you that you can turn to when you need to escape but don’t want to be the center of attention about it. Having a buddy with you will help alleviate any anxious energy while providing a source of energetic grounding.
Before leaving the house, engage in some deep breathing to help you tune into your own energy and prepare for your social event. Breathing will help calm your internal energetic storm so you can visualize yourself having a great time without feeling drained. It’s important to acknowledge and not ignore what you’re feeling; doing so only forces feelings to lodge in your body somewhere, and later on down the road, they will manifest in way, shape, or form that has the potential to be detrimental to your health.
Lastly, breathe! And remember that being social isn’t about what others expect of you; it’s about what you have (and want) to give to and share with others. It’s always okay to be selective when it comes to preserving your energy.
