Hello dear friend,
Welcome to the middle of the year, just like that, you have got here with all your heart intact (I hope). You have been gifted yet another weekend, another opportunity to give glory to God, and make it count for something.
When I think of June, I have memories of hot days of sweltering sunshine, waiting for that long holiday to come so I could be free of school. The waiting, the anticipation, the longing, only to get home and then miss school again, a cycle of high expectations that never ended.
Summer in the UK is known for kids being off school and parents struggling with childcare and work responsibilities, expensive family holidays where everyone except the financial contributors have a blast.
I made a conscious effort as I grew my own family to reduce the expectations, to focus on family quality time and bonding in that season of the year. I started to reframe it for myself as a season of light, a powerful season for healing, connection, and mental reset. With longer days, warmer weather, and nature in full bloom, summer offers the perfect opportunity to engage in activities that nourish your mental well-being.
Whether you’ve had a stressful start to the year or just want to be intentional about your emotional health, this post is for you. Let’s explore practical, enjoyable summer activities that can boost your mental health and help you thrive—inside and out.
🌞 Why Summer Is a Great Time to Focus on Mental Health
- Natural sunlight increases serotonin, a mood-boosting hormone.
- More opportunities to move your body outdoors = stress relief.
- A slower pace for many people = room to rest and reflect.
- Time off work or school can give space to reconnect with yourself and others.
Summer is nature’s invitation to restore your soul. Will you accept it?
Summer intentions
Here are easy, accessible activities you can weave into your summer to feel more grounded, joyful, and mentally refreshed:
1. Take Morning Walks in Nature
You don’t need a mountain or a forest—your local park, garden, or quiet street will do.
- Get moving early to avoid the heat.
- Leave your phone behind or use it only for music or a podcast. Put it on flight mode and just keep walking, set a specific time so you can build a habit
- Practice mindful walking: feel the breeze, notice the birds, and breathe in the scents.
Mental health boost: Walking in natural settings lowers stress hormones and improves mood.
2. Try Gardening or Plant Care
Don’t underestimate the healing power of tending to a living thing.
- Start small: herbs, succulents, or houseplants. Some plants even grow in water and you can see their root systems just spread out, so satisfying. Teaching kids to exercise patience and have hoped for growth is such a lesson.
- Gardening encourages patience, mindfulness, and responsibility.
- You’ll feel a sense of pride watching things grow under your care. It gives you a boost of confidence while enlarging your heart for love and care.
Mental health boost: Horticulture therapy is proven to reduce anxiety and improve emotional regulation. I have often fantasized about incorporating this into my clinics.
3. Attend Outdoor Events and Community Activities
Summer brings free or low-cost outdoor events: farmers markets, art fairs, open-air concerts, and festivals.
- Being around others can lift your mood, even if you’re introverted. Grab a book and some music and head out.
- It reduces feelings of isolation and boosts a sense of belonging. All that sunlight makes people more sociable, and the sound of laughter comes back into the air
Mental health boost: Social connection is one of the strongest protectors against depression and anxiety.
4. Swim, Bike, or Move Your Body Creatively
Physical activity = endorphin release. It doesn’t have to be intense to be effective.
- Try swimming in a safe lake or pool
- Go for evening bike rides
- Dance barefoot in your living room or at a beach party
Mental health boost: Movement reduces symptoms of depression and improves sleep and confidence.
5. Make Time for Digital Detox Days
Take intentional breaks from your screen.
- Replace scrolling with journaling, reading a book, or having real conversations
- Spend an entire day offline if you can—notice how your brain resets
Mental health boost: Less digital noise means more calm, presence, and mental clarity.
6. Practice Intentional Rest (Without Guilt)
Summer has its own rhythm. You don’t need to fill every day with activities.
- Take naps
- Just practice stillness and silence
- Watch sunsets or stargaze
- Do nothing and allow yourself to enjoy it
- Tidy up a space or add something beautiful to it
Mental health boost: Rest is a radical act of self-care in a hustle culture. It replenishes your emotional reserves.
7. Start a Gratitude or Joy Journal
Document small moments of delight:
- “The way the sunlight hit the kitchen table”
- “A stranger’s compliment”
- “Laughing until my belly hurt at the barbecue”
- Eating my favourite snack
Mental health boost: Gratitude journaling trains your mind to focus on what’s good, even during difficult times. We can put into perspective the things that make up our lives that we take for granted
Many times we are living in an answered prayer, if only we took the time to observe and be thankful.
Final Thoughts: Heal, Play, Thrive
Summer is not just about productivity or aesthetics.
It’s a sacred chance to return to yourself.
Use the warmth and brightness of the season as an emotional balm. Explore, rest, laugh, and cry if you need to. But whatever you do, be intentional about your well-being.
Mental health is not a luxury—it’s your foundation for everything else. Plan to be well and act accordingly to sustain systems that support wellness.
Call to Action:
What’s one summer activity you’re committing to for your mental wellness this year?
Drop it in the comments or share this post with a friend who needs the reminder.
Until next time, stay authentic.
Stay resilient, and continue to honour your needs.
Live wholeheartedly,
Amaka
