Summertime Sadness? We Don’t Know Her.
It’s officially summer! The sun is out, the birds are singing, and the mental fog of winter has finally lifted. To kick off our favorite season, we’re teaming up with our sponsors at Baylor, Scott & White Health to serve up some tips to get your mental health into tip top shape so you can have the best summer yet 😎
Take in Some Art
Getting involved with the arts can have powerful and lasting effects on physical and mental health.
Here are some totally objective suggestions for how to get more art in your life:
- take in some live music at The Drop-In
- come visit Gallery 701 on the Mezzanine Level of the Long Center
- pick up an artistic hobby like knitting or sketching – you don’t have to be an expert to still have fun with it!
Get Some Vitamin D
Low levels of vitamin D can lead to depression, seasonal affective disorder, heart disease, and even cancer. Although you can take a vitamin D supplement, the best way to get it is by getting outside. Ever wonder why taking a walk when you feel down or stressed seems to make you feel better? This is why! Good thing Austin isn’t lacking in outdoor activities this time of year.
Our recs on how to up your vitamin D exposure:
- journey along the Butler Hike & Bike Trail and wave at us when you pass the Long Center
- paddle board or kayak Lake Austin
- come to The Drop-In!
Move Your Body in a Way You Enjoy
It’s easy for anyone to feel sluggish, unmotivated, or just generally meh when we’re sedentary for too long. Get your heartrate up to get your spirits up!
Our tips for keeping moving:
- visit a Texas State Park for a day of hiking, fishing, or horseback riding – be sure to wish them a happy 100th birthday while you’re at it!
- hit the dance floor while you’re pre-gaming at The Drop-In (and then tag us in your social posts)
Read more about what Baylor, Scott & White has to say about getting moving.
Here’s a note from our friend and licensed professional counselor Heather Moeller from BS&W Health:
I’m incredibly grateful to live in the modern world. Trust me when I say that there is NO bigger fan of toothpaste, technology, and tacos than Heather Moeller. Heck, with the help of new artificial intelligence platforms, I can even order up and read poems about the glories of all three in a matter of seconds!
Even with all this cleanliness and convenience, I can’t forget that I’m but a mammal. One with a smart phone, certainly. But a sensory and social creature all the same.
We all are.
When we connect with the basics of our humanity, we simply feel good. Science says this, but you have experienced it yourself, so you know it’s true!
Put your bare feet on the cool grass on a warm day, let the sun shine down on your upturned face, or listen to the melodies of masterful musicians.
Be with your people. Go see plays and art that other humans have created. There’s a reason that humans have been admiring art since cave drawings!
This summer, consider bringing it back old school for even just a few small minutes a day. Your sensory social mammal self will thank you later.
Well, there’s no denying it – the arts are essential for mental health. So is being outside. Whether you choose to get those at the Long Center or anywhere else, know we’re cheering you on! We’re all in this together 👏
At the Long Center, we’ve always got a new partnership or something cool we know you’ll want to check out! Find and follow us @longcenter on your social media platform of choice, and we’ll see you real soon.
