Summer arrived this week with a bang and temperatures soared! It’s the season of Fun! Fun! Fun!
Festivals are in full swing and village fetes are joining local communities together. It’s a time for get togethers and spending time outdoors with loved ones.
But if you are bereaved, recently divorced or live on your own, summer can be a tough time. It can be just as tough as Christmas! It can bring back memories of day trips to the beach, summer holidays or chilling outdoors with other couples, families and friends.
The Power of Mindset
However, I found that getting into the ‘right mindset’ can be life changing and helped me to cope through bereavement and when going through cancer.
Ideas for Coping
These are a few positive ideas that might help if you are experiencing loss or stress:
- Practicing gratitude might have become a bit of a ‘thing’ nowadays but, it really can work! Start and end the day by reflecting on 3 things you are grateful for. Remember, there is always someone worse off than you!
- Wake up early and take a sunrise walk. Pay attention to your surroundings, how majestic the trees are, how hard the honey bees work, the smell of freshly cut grass. Really listen to the sounds of nature all around you.
- Do a workout/yoga/pilates in the garden. Sunshine releases serotonin and exercise releases endorphins so your mood will be elevated and you will feel calm and focused.
- Make yourself a delicious breakfast with fresh fruit, yoghurt, croissants or cinnamon swirls and take your time eating it.
- Take a trip to the supermarket and buy some picky bits such as olives, cheese, French bread and a nice drink, then find a nice spot for a picnic. Listen to your favourite playlist, find a good podcast or get lost in a good book.
- Sit in the garden with a nice relaxing cup of tea such as camomile and watch the sunset.
Alternative Ideas for Home
If you don’t have a garden, you could:
- Buy yourself some lovely flowers and arrange in different spaces in your home.
- Change your home fragrance/candles/diffusers to ones that encapsulate Summer with citrus or floral notes.
- Cook some new summery recipes using fresh vegetables in season and make some cool cocktails and enjoy!
Summer is not only all about expensive holidays and big gatherings but also a time for self-care, reflection and mindfulness too.
Sarcoma Awareness Month
July is Sarcoma Awareness Month. It is a cancer very personal to me as I have been affected by it 3 times. However, I am living proof that it can be overcome.
If caught early, it gives the best possible chance of survival but it is a rare cancer so awareness is vital to achieve early diagnosis.
Coronation Street recently featured Sarcoma in a storyline where Eileen’s sister Julie was suffering from it.
Understanding Sarcoma
Sarcoma is a type of cancer that can appear anywhere in the body. The 2 main types are: soft tissue sarcoma (which I had) and bone sarcoma.
The most common symptom is a lump that is growing or changing.
Sarcomas can affect any one of any age and is the 3rd most common cancer in children.
What to Look For & When to Act
If you notice a lump on your body, keep an eye on it and any changes to it, measure it and track it. If you experience any unexplained bone pain, make an appointment to see your GP.
Early diagnosis saves lives!