A summer of recovery: how to help your mind keep up with changes

The only permanent thing in life is change. We are constantly living through one stage or another, and moving through life through various changes. Change always puts pressure on the mind, and it could even be compared to a crisis. We all deal with change in individual ways, so it is important to learn to identify our own ways of reacting and find suitable tools to support our mental wellbeing. Changes relating to summer may include going from full-time studies into a summer job or unemployment, moving back home from university, or the friendship group scattering, each with their own summer plans.

The past year has undoubtedly been stressful for most students, not just because of studying, but also because of political decisions. The predictability that the mind craves has been tested e.g. in terms of a sufficient income, which also impacts the sense of safety. Sufficient recovery is important when things feel uncertain, even though that can sometimes be easier said than done.

Recovery: routines, detachment and flexibility

Mirka Niskala and Tiia Jaakkola from Miento have listed three things that are key when it comes to sufficient recovery: calming the nervous system, sufficient rest, and psychological detachment. In addition to sleeping enough, we should also create a rhythm in our daily lives consisting of things like 1–2-minute micro breaks, movement in nature. and relaxation. The first chores in the morning and the last ones in the evening are the routines that help the nervous system recover best. These routines also give the mind the predictability it craves.

It is important to create daily routines that help us detach from work, studies or other stressful activities. One good tool is scheduling in exercise a few weeks ahead of time, before the diary fills up with obligations.

In summer it can sometimes be difficult to keep up daily routines, and this requires mental flexibility. When plans change, a rigid approach can make it difficult to enjoy the summer, and it can even add stress. A flexible mind enables us to be more mindfully present and enjoy fleeting summer moments, even if everything doesn’t go to plan. When making plans, we can all be a bit too optimistic and forget about changeable weather or changes to our energy levels. It is important to leave wiggle room for moving parts even when making fun plans. On the other hand, these kinds of changes are good opportunities to develop mental flexibility and learn how to face difficult emotions with acceptance.

Whether we are facing stress during the summer or the academic year, major or minor changes, we should consciously allocate time for recovery and observe the reactions of our body.