S4 E12 - chat chit top tips for looking after your mental health in the summer

In this episode, I offer you some top tips for how you can look after your mental health during the summer. These include how to care for yourself in the high heat as well as taking time to check in with friends and family if you're away. All the bits of advice have worked for me in the past, but take these tips and find what works for you. Enjoy!

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For anymore information, support and services on mental health, visit Yormind which can help you to support someone else or give you a little bit more understanding of your own mental health as well.

Transcript

Hello friends and welcome back to Season 4 of Chat Chit with me, James. 

Today I’ve got something a little bit different for you. As it’s the first day of the school holidays here in York, I wanted to give you all some top tips for looking after your mental health in the summer, or as I’m calling them, chat chit top tips! 

These are things that either work or have worked for me in the past, but I want you to take this advice and make up your own minds about what might work for you.  

Summer can be a difficult time for your mental health, whether it be trying to beat the heat, being away from friends or family, or worrying about exam results. I hope these tips can help keep you well over these summer months. 

• So chat chit top tip number one, and probably the most boring one so we’ll get this one out of the way first, is keep yourself safe in the high heat. 

This is especially important if you’re on any medication related to your mental health, as these can increase your risk of dehydration or sunburn.  

Also make sure these are stored in a cool environment and consult your GP if you need further advice. 

Make sure you drink enough water throughout the day and take a refillable bottle with you if you’re going out and about.  

If you don’t like drinking your water, consider eating or drinking other things with a high-water content.  

Some of my favourites are watermelon, strawberries, pineapple and celery, as well as smoothies and caffeine free fruit infusions. 

And yes, ice cream and ice lollies are fine too as a treat! 

If you’re struggling to cool your house down during the day, consider going to a local library or anywhere else that might be air conditioned to keep cool during peak hours.  

And prioritise your sleep by keeping your room as cool as possible and sticking to a regular sleep schedule. 

GOV.UK have a brilliant guide called Beat the Heat, so check that out for more details. 

• Chat chit top tip number two is similar, i.e. touch grass but enjoy the outdoors safely. 

I love being outdoors but need to be really careful in the heat. As well as wearing plenty of Factor 50, I recommend finding activities that involve being in the shade as much as possible, like reading a book or having a picnic with friends. 

Exercise is really good for looking after your mental health, not least for limiting screen time. If you enjoy swimming for example, the BBC recently wrote a great article for how to keep yourself safe while swimming outdoors, so do check that out before making any plans. 

Otherwise, gentle exercise like going for walks or doing yoga either in the early morning or late evening help keep me mentally grounded and allow me keep moving even when it’s hot during the day.  

And, as much as you can, avoid being outside between 11-3 during especially hot days. 

• Chat chit top tip number three is to keep a lookout for free or cheap events  

Summer can be a very expensive time, whether it be finding childcare, going on holiday, or keeping yourself occupied if you’re off from school, uni or work.  

There are plenty of free or very cheap events at both Rowntree and Homestead Parks, the Explore libraries, as well as the museums across town.  

You don’t to spend a fortune, or anything at all, to keep your mind occupied during summer, so search ‘free summer events in York’ or look up activity groups on Yormind.org.uk to find what’s right for you. 

Otherwise, we’ll still be running the YorChoice drop in throughout the summer holidays every Thursday between 4pm to 7pm at Highcliffe House in Clifton.  

We’re only a ten-minute bus ride or twenty-minute walk from the train station, we’ve got loads of arts and crafts activities, and we’re here to offer as much support as we can for your mental health, including during summer. 

• Lastly, and probably the cheesiest chat chit top tip of them all, go easy on yourself  

Avoid comparing your summer plans to other people, especially ones you see on social media, and instead build a routine that works for you. Take a holiday if you can and give structure to your days through a regular sleeping and eating schedule, as well as activities and meet-ups. 

If you’re away from friends or family over the summer holidays, check in on them, even if it’s just by phone or text, and arrange to meet in person if you can. 

If this past year or so has been difficult for you for whatever reason, take time to reflect on how far you’ve come and focus on all the wins you’ve achieved in that time, no matter how small. This could be through journaling or talking about them with friends and family. 

 If you’re awaiting exam results, remember that you did your very best and that there’s nothing you can do to change anything now, so try to find techniques to occupy your mind in the healthy way before results day. 

If you need immediate mental health help over summer, here are some 24-hour crisis lines that can help: 

• There’s NHS 111 and select option 2 for mental health support;  
• Papyrus’ Hopeline can be called on 0800 068 4141, and;  
• Samaritans can be reached on 116 123. 

Don’t forget to check out Yormind.org.uk for details of mental health services for young people in York including the YorChoice drop in and activity groups including sports, youth groups and performing arts. 

You can also listen to all current and previous episodes of chat chit on our website or your podcast platform of choice. 

And with that, we’ll wrap up so thanks for listening and we’ll see you next time!