Embracing Summer’s Rhythm: Finding Balance in the Season of Movement
Summer is in full swing - yay! This season of longer days is often associated with play, adventure, and sweet memories outdoors with loved ones. As a psychotherapist, I’ve noticed a collective lightness in my clients during this time. Even amidst political turmoil, there seems to be an energetic resilience that comes hand in hand with longer daylight hours. However, the buzzing energy, while fun, can also be overwhelming; staying grounded during the summer is a delicate balance.
The Cadence of Summer
While fall invites us to shed, winter beckons rest, and spring brings awakening, summer is a season of energetic abundance. Think: family-filled parks, vacations and roadtrips, picnics, dinner parties, beach days, dancing. Play. For some, this sounds exhilarating – you can’t wait to be a part of the vibrant energy. For others, this might bring anxiety, overstimulation, and a feeling of overwhelm – you wish things would slow down. If you’re anything like me, it’s both.
Whether your summer is filled with travel or a busier-than-usual social calendar at home, it’s normal for energy to be high – and it’s a healthy sign of living in sync with the seasons. However, subtle shifts like skipping your morning routine to sleep in after a late night out can have effects on your wellbeing if left unchecked for too long.
Intentionality and balance are key to embracing summer’s active rhythms and staying connected to yourself along the way.
Tips for Finding Balance This Summer
Reimagine routine. Consider how your rituals can be adjusted to meet you where you are. Maybe your 30-minute morning routine becomes a 5-minute breathing practice on your balcony. Maybe your usual journaling becomes a voice note while walking around a neighborhood.
Ground through embodiment. When things around us are moving quickly, coming back to the body can help restore balance. Gentle stretching, barefoot walks, spending time in water – all of these pull us back to experiencing the present moment through our senses.
Practice intentionality with saying “yes” or “no.” Listen to your body. Before committing to a plan, ask: “Is this nourishing me, or depleting me? Does my body feel light and easeful when I consider this plan, or tight and heavy?” Remember that saying “yes” to something is also saying “no” to something else – might it be your sense of inner peace? It’s okay to say no to a plan simply to have time to yourself.
Find micro-moments of stillness. It doesn’t have to be anything major. A few slow breaths while you’re driving, or a mindful pause before responding to a text.
Reflection Prompts for Summer
If you’re craving a little more balance this summer, reflect on the following prompts. You can journal, jot down notes in your phone, record a voice note, or simply think about your answers – summer’s busy, but taking a few minutes to center yourself in this season might help you move through the busy-ness with more ease <3
What is my intention for this summer? Consider: How do I want to feel at the end of this summer?
What does “balance” mean to me in this season of life? Consider: What does balance feel like?
Where am I overcommitting or overextending myself, and why? What stories or beliefs are fueling those decisions?
What grounding resources do I have access to wherever I go? For example, taking deep breaths, going for a mindful walk, stretching, singing, or talking to a friend.
Find Balance with Therapy on Fig in Los Angeles, CA Today!
Allow your summer to be a dance between movement and stillness, connection and solitude. Experience the playful highs, and allow them to integrate through restorative time just for you, so that the highs don’t just pass you by. Remember, you are allowed to move at the speed of your own nervous system—even in the heart of summer.
If you could use a little more support finding balance this season, you might benefit from working with one of our therapists. Here at Therapy on Fig, we have therapists who weave together parts work, polyvagal theory, mindfulness philosophy, and solution-based approaches to support you in returning to your center, even amidst the vibrancy of summer. Follow the steps below to begin this journey toward balance with us:
Reach out to schedule a free consultation.
Speak with a compassionate, non-pathologizing therapist.
Find balance through the seasons of life, today!
Other Services Offered at Therapy on Fig
At Therapy on Fig, we provide therapy services tailored to the unique needs of teens, adults, and couples. We provide Teen Therapy in Highland Park, CA We also offer Neurodivergent Affirming Therapy, Therapy for Empaths, Trauma Therapy, Grief and Loss Therapy, and Couples Therapy. We also address related issues such as anxiety, stress management, self-esteem, and relationship issues. Whether you're seeking support for a specific issue or looking to strengthen your relationship overall, our therapists are here to help. Reach out today to learn more about our services and to begin your path to healing, agency, and peace.
Marina Mendes is a Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (#15511) supervised by Sharon Yu, LMFT (#50028). As a mixed-race Asian American queer woman, introvert, and Highly Sensitive Person, my healing work is shaped by a deep understanding of what it means to feel "othered." I support individuals who feel misunderstood, embrace multifaceted identities, and value multicultural awareness. Reach out to learn more about our experienced therapists.