Tips for Light-Hearted Emotional Healing this Summer

Healing and Renewal in the Season of Light

Summer, the season of the sun, light, and warmth, tends to be a time when most people forget about their healing and inner work and focus on having fun, family holidays, travelling and adventures. And why not? Life is also about living, after all. .

Having said that, healing and our spiritual journey don’t suddenly stop because it’s summer. At the end of the day, we can’t compartmentalize our inner work from life. Things will come up, events will trigger you, and life will throw curve balls at you. So here are some thoughts on how you can continue healing and embracing your spiritual growth throughout the summertime in a light-hearted way.

Below are 8 Gentle Summer Healing Tips:

1. Reflective Practices

Engaging in reflective practices allows us to pause, introspect, make sense of, and learn from our experiences. Through self-reflection, we gain a deeper understanding of our emotions, thoughts, and patterns of behaviour. By creating an intentional space for contemplation, you can identify areas for personal growth, uncover buried emotions, become aware of unresolved traumas, and gain clarity on your life path and what needs to change.

Reflective practices, such as journaling, meditation, or quiet contemplation, is how we can reconnect with and be fully present with our inner world. This gives us an opportunity to acknowledge and validate our feelings, encouraging self-compassion and self-awareness, which empowers us to make intentional choices and take steps towards emotional healing.

By regularly engaging in these practices, we create a nurturing space for ourselves to continuously connect with our soul journey, helping us stay grounded within ourselves and supporting our healing journey.

This summer, take some time to reflect on what you still need to heal, the changes you want to make in your life, what your intentions were at the beginning of the year, and whether you’re on track with that and achieving your goals. You can then start creating a new plan of action, including what you can change, what needs to go, what you’d like more of and where to focus your energy for the remaining part of the year. As waves of emotions come up, this will help ground you and keep your original intentions at the forefront.

2. Cultivate Gratitude

Gratitude shifts our focus from what is lacking in our lives to what is present and meaningful. When we intentionally acknowledge and appreciate the blessings in our lives, big or small, we invite a sense of abundance and fullness into our hearts.

By cultivating gratitude, we develop a positive mindset and build emotional resilience. It supports us in navigating difficulties with grace and strength because we’ve already anchored gratitude for what is in our lives.

Gratitude helps us reframe our perspectives, allowing us to see the silver linings in challenging situations and to find beauty in even the simplest of moments.

The act of expressing gratitude, whether through journaling, sharing with others, or simply feeling it internally, releases powerful positive feelings and creates a ripple effect that uplifts our overall mental state and emotional well-being.

Gratitude reminds us to cherish what we have, find joy in the everyday, and embrace the transformative power of appreciation. As it’s been said many times by well-known self-help and motivational leaders, ‘when you’re grateful for what you already have, you’ll naturally attract more things to be grateful for’.

If you don’t already, try keeping a gratitude journal throughout the summer and see what shifts for you. If you struggle to find what to be grateful for, you can start with being alive or the meals you had today, for the air you breathe or the flowers near your home. This practice will become easier the more you do it.

This summer, if you start seeing everything in a negative light, seek the gifts around you and hope will be sparked again.

3. Practice Presence

In our fast-paced world, our minds often wander between daily tasks, regrets of the past, and worries about the future. We hardly ever focus on simply being in the present moment, totally immersed in the now. Presence is important because when we consciously bring ourselves into the present moment, we open the door to profound healing.

Healing happens when you’re present. Present with your feelings and emotions, experiencing them fully in your body. The more you practice presence, the easier it will be for you to process emotions when they come up.

Being fully present means immersing ourselves in the here and now with a gentle awareness and acceptance of our thoughts, emotions, and surroundings. It allows us to develop a deeper connection with ourselves, others, and the world around us.

By letting go of our to-do lists, past regrets and future anxieties just for the moment, we free ourselves from unnecessary stress and find a sense of peace and calm within. Through practices such as deep breathing or engaging our senses, we can anchor ourselves in the present moment and experience the beauty and richness of life in its purest form, which is always in the now.

By being fully present, we embrace the present moment as a gift. It also creates space to find clarity, creativity, and new awareness to flow through.

Throughout the summer, whatever activity you’re engaged in, as often as you remember, make it a practice to be fully present doing it. And when you catch yourself travelling in the future or in the past, come back to the present moment – you’ll see solutions more clearly.

Harnessing the Healing Energies of Summer

4. Spend Time in Nature & Outdoors

Most of us living in the city don’t spend enough time connecting with nature, and sadly this actually has an effect on our physical and mental health. Spending time in nature and immersing ourselves in the great outdoors can be profoundly healing for our emotional well-being. Nature has a unique way of soothing our minds, replenishing our spirits, and restoring balance to our inner being.

One fascinating aspect of nature’s healing power is the Earth’s frequency, also known as the Schumann Resonance (sometimes called the Earth’s heartbeat). The Earth vibrates at a frequency of approximately 432 Hz, which is said to be in harmony with our brainwaves, promoting a state of inner calm, relaxation and well-being.

When we connect with nature, whether through a peaceful hike in the woods, a stroll on the beach, or simply sitting under a tree, we absorb these natural frequencies, which can help rebalance as well as recharge our own energy. The gentle rustle of leaves, the chirping of birds, or the rhythmic sound of crashing waves can all serve as a form of natural therapy, grounding us and relieving stress and anxiety.

There are many scientific studies showing the health benefits of grounding alone. In Japan, doctors even started recommending shinrin-yoku or “forest bathing” to patients as a form of stress relief.

This summer, especially when life becomes too hectic, detach from city living and the demands of modern life and spend as much time as you can outdoors, connecting to nature so you can embrace the nurturing, healing energy it offers.

5. Spend Time with Friends in Person (& Have Fun)

In a world where most of our connections are now online, in-person connections are becoming more precious.

On the one hand, online connection is convenient and gives us access to instant communication with our friends and family all over the world – and this is fantastic if you’re not able to see them frequently in person due to distance. Online connections can also provide support, you can seek advice, share your experiences and join groups with similar interests. It allows you to connect with like-minded people worldwide, which you may not have otherwise, and even create communities.

However, in-person connections have a deeper level of intimacy and connection through non-verbal cues, physical touch, and shared tangible experiences. They allow for spontaneous interactions, more in-depth emotional connections, and a greater sense of presence and authenticity.

Engaging in enjoyable or playful activities, having a laugh, and having physical experiences with friends and family uplifts our spirits and brings a sense of joy and fulfillment that you can’t create online. Physical social connections, have been demonstrated to, create a stronger bond with people and boost our self-esteem, reduce feelings of loneliness, and increase our overall life satisfaction.

When we have fun with friends, we release stress, promote relaxation, and stimulate the release of feel-good neurotransmitters in our brains, such as endorphins and oxytocin. These positive interactions foster a sense of belonging, improve our mood, and create lasting memories.

While online connections have their benefits, nurturing and prioritizing in-person connections remains essential for creating meaningful relationships and fulfilling our innate need for human connection.

This summer, cherish your friendships, make time for fun and laughter, adventure, and shared experiences, knowing that they contribute greatly to our emotional well-being and enrich our lives in countless ways. This will increase your sense of belonging and help reduce any feelings of loneliness, if they arise.

6. Try Out New Things

Stepping outside of our comfort zones and trying new things can be a powerful catalyst for emotional healing. When we stay within our comfort zone, only engaging in familiar activities, we limit our growth and restrict our potential for personal transformation.

By venturing into uncharted territory, whether it’s learning a new skill, exploring a different hobby, or taking on a fresh challenge, we invite excitement, curiosity, and a sense of adventure into our lives.

Trying new things expands our consciousness, broadens our perspectives, and builds resilience by teaching us to adapt to change and uncomfortable situations. It allows us to break free from self-imposed limitations, boost our self-confidence, and discover hidden talents and passions.

Emotionally, trying new things helps us overcome our fears, it also gives us a sense of accomplishment as each new thing adds to our life experiences. It can ignite a renewed zest for life, reignite our curiosity, and instil a deeper appreciation for the amazing world around us.

So get out of your familiar routine, step outside your comfort zone and embrace the unknown, embrace growth, and be open to the transformative power of new experiences, knowing that they hold the potential to heal and unlock the extraordinary within us.

Make it a challenge to try something new at least once a week throughout the summer. Otherwise, you can pick a new hobby or new skill you wish to develop and stick to it. Remember, you can always take a break if you feel overwhelmed.

7. Unplug from Technology

In today’s hyper-connected world, constant exposure to screens and digital devices can leave us feeling overwhelmed, distracted, and mentally exhausted. Although most of us know this, we’re still addicted to it and consciously engage with it daily, knowing full well we’re doing it.

Intentionally disconnecting from technology creates space for deep introspection, recharging our energy and genuine human connections. Having regular digital detox allows us to be fully present in the moment, free from the distractions of notifications and endless scrolling. It encourages us to engage in activities that nourish our souls, such as spending quality time with loved ones, exploring nature, practising presence, or pursuing hobbies we enjoy.

Unplugging from technology offers many benefits for your mental, emotional, and physical well-being, including better sleep, stress relief, clarity, and the ability to focus and concentrate. One simple way you can do this is by putting your phone on silent mode and refraining from checking emails in the evening. Of course, you can also do social media fasts for a few days!

By disconnecting from technology, we reclaim our power and personal boundaries, establish healthy digital habits, and regain a sense of balance and control over our lives. So, let us embrace the liberation that comes from unplugging (like the good old days if you’re as old as I am – I grew up in the days without smartphones or the internet) and rediscover the joys of a simpler, more mindful existence.

This summer, take more breaks from social media and technology and focus on simply living your life.

8. Rest & Recharge

Treasure your sleep. Sleep is essential for our overall health and well-being, and summer presents a beautiful opportunity to prioritize and fully enjoy our rest.

During sleep, our bodies and minds undergo a remarkable process of repair, renewal, and processing of experiences and memories. Good sleep supports optimal cognitive function, boosts the immune system, and enhances mood regulation. It is during sleep that our bodies heal and recover from daily stressors. Additionally, quality sleep promotes better concentration, productivity, and creativity, enabling us to make the most of our waking hours. If you’re always tired, you can’t fully enjoy your daily experiences. At least if you’re well rested, you can start to feel not only more awake throughout the day but alive.

As summer brings longer daylight and more activities, it’s important to create a sleep routine that allows us to unwind and relax before bed, ensuring a peaceful and restorative sleep, especially if you feel fog brained during the day, or feel that you lack energy and enthusiasm in general.

I hereby give you permission to sleep in this summer. Jokes aside, prioritise your sleep for the sake of your health, happiness, and overall well-being. Your body will thank you for it.

Summer is a great time for renewal, to pause, to reflect, to anchor all the inner work we’ve done so far, and for introspection. As the sun peaks during the summer months and illuminates the world around us, harness its energy and also welcome your inner light.

Healing doesn’t always have to be heavy, going through dark nights of the soul after dark nights or about consistently doing trauma work. It can be enjoyable, nurturing and playful. It’s also healing and healthy to embrace the different seasons of our healing and spiritual growth journey, especially the nurturing and lighter side that we often neglect.

All techniques and information I share are considered coaching, self-help or complementary therapies. I am not a licensed psychologist, psychiatrist or medical doctor, I have a degree in Health Sciences in Holistic & Complementary Therapies. Everything I write and talk about comes mainly from my own experience in healing myself and the tools, techniques, and resources I learned throughout my own inner journey.

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