How to Nurture Your Relaxed Summer Vibe

Tools to help you stress less this summer. Photo by Harli Marten.

By Regina Winkle-Bryan

Normal life (remember that?) provided lots of pre-pandemic stressors. But now, with COVID concerns, economic uncertainty, a looming presidential election, and a society-shifting civil rights movement, we have more on our minds than ever before. It feels important to be informed about all these issues, if not actively participating in some way.

And, it can all be a lot on the heart and the body.

It’s important for me to balance out my media intake, action, and worrying with some self-care, and it occurred to me that you may feel the same way. Here are some resources for mitigating stress, an emotion so many of us are enveloped in right now.

Try some mindfulness using the Calm or Headspace apps. Photo by Lesly Juarez.

Apps: I feel like apps could be a whole article on their own. What apps are you using to unwind? I’ve tried many over the years, but the ones I’ve stuck with are Calm and Headspace. Calm offers a series of guided meditations, some for free, and others available by subscription.

If you’re a nervous flier, Calm might take the edge off a bit as you wait at the gate, or you can use it in-flight for a dose of relaxation. Not many of us are flying much right now, but when we do take to the skies again, keep this app handy. If you have been meaning to dip a toe into mindfulness and meditation but don’t know how to begin, Calm is an easy place to start.

I’ve also been doing a 21-day meditation challenge through The Chopra Center and have enjoyed it so far. Deepak Chopra has a great voice.

Light a candle and some incense and login for an online retreat. Photo by Hans Vivek.

Online Retreats: A month or so ago, I went to a Bliss Retreat hosted by Barbara Badolati. Frankly, I wasn’t sure if I would like participating in a retreat online, but the experience helped me feel much more grounded. Barbara Badolati leads these retreats every month, and each one is a bit different, but there is usually body movement, meditation, and spiritual exploration. You can learn more about these retreats here.

I’m sure there are other healers and wellness pros out there who are hosting online retreats. Let me know if you have attended one and can recommend it.

Enjoy flow and body movement from home with online retreats and yoga classes. Photo by Avrielle Suleiman.

Yoga: You knew yoga would make this list as it is a long-revered stress-buster. So, where are you getting your yoga these days? I used to go to a sweaty yoga and pilates studio, but that era is long gone, and I don’t know when it will return. Here are some yogis to follow from home with a mat or towel rolled out on your living room floor.

Yoga By Biola: Washington-based Abiola Akanni has a YouTube channel, so you can get into her Easy Yoga for Back Pain video wherever you are, plus many other meditations and flows.

Yoga With Adrienne (and her cute dog): She’s famous for a reason. I love her yoga for relaxation series. Her videos are sorted by length so you can pick a quickie 15-minute practice or a longer 60-minute flow.

DOT: Donation Only Temple Space is run by Terilyn Wyre, a yogi promoting body positivity and activism. I went to an 8 Limbs Yoga Retreat, and she was one of the teachers who led us through a potent weekend of asanas and self-exploration. I like her style. She teaches daily on Zoom and Facebook Live and accepts donations.

While we’re talking yoga, I’d also like to share this list of Black-owned studios, many with online offerings.

Shake out a few drops of essential oils and feel soothing calm take over. Photo by Christin Hume.

Diffuser: Do you already have one of these buzzing in a corner of your home? It was a game changer for me when I finally bought a bamboo diffuser a couple of years ago. I use it all the time but find it most beneficial at night when I’m getting ready to go to bed. I add some lavender essential oil to my diffuser and then let it run for an hour before I slip under the covers. My whole bedroom smells like relaxing lavender and mellows me out. Pillow Potion is another essential oil I love for bedtime. There are lots of diffusers out there. This is the one I have: Ultrasonic Real Bamboo.

A friend of mine used to add a few drops of lavender to a handkerchief and keep it in her pocket whenever she was feeling a lot of anxiety. If she started to feel overwhelmed, she’d pull out the handkerchief, put it to her nose, and breathe deeply. This is another good tool to have at your disposal if you’re a nervous flier.

Lavender is a beautiful stress-buster whether you find it fresh or in essential oil form. Photo by Léonard Cotte.

A walk in the woods, a cuddle with a dog or cat, gardening (even if it’s just a balcony garden), and cleaning are all proven stress-busters. Lots of us have also been baking, sorting, and connecting with friends in a safe and socially-distanced way. Escapism is also an option. Open a book or turn on Audible (maybe skip the news if the goal is to stress less) and be transported to another time through story. You could also join our Travel Book Club if you want some “structured” reading in your life.

Whatever you do, make some time to take care of yourself. These are strange times, and we all need a little grace, space, and maybe an essential-oil laden handkerchief.