4 DIY Therapeutic Activities for July

July is here, and with it comes the promise of warmth, sunshine, and hopefully, some time for relaxation. Even during the summer months, however,  stress and anxiety can still manage to creep in. That’s why it’s helpful to have some DIY therapeutic activities that not only help you relax, but boost your confidence and resilience. Self care isn’t always about doing the easy things that we love, it’s also about pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone and embracing opportunities that help us expand into our authentic selves. By engaging with your life in these ways throughout the month, you can solidify the progress made during therapy sessions and accelerate your journey towards mental well-being. 

“I don’t want to train for every contest the way I do for the Fourth of July. It would be impossible”

Joey Chestnut

Why Deep Cleaning Your House Is Therapy

It is officially Cancer season in the zodiac calendar. Cancers are known for being homebodies who love to have a cozy, organized,  comfortable environment. It’s no secret that when your space isn’t organized, you are more prone to stress and anxiety. Sometimes, clutter around our house is a representation of what is going on inside your mind. Deep cleaning and getting rid of what we no longer need in our external environment helps us internally get rid of  what we no longer need. We don’t always realize how sensitive we are to our environment. You’ll notice that stepping outside can provide you with instant relief when you’re ruminating about something. That’s because the outdoors is expansive enough for us to feel our big feelings, and it also inspires our creativity. You are able to bring that  expansiveness and creativity to your living space. Think of your home like one big art piece that you live in. Arrange things in a way that pleases you aesthetically. Have fun with it! Enjoy making your place sparkle. Enjoy the relief that you feel when you clean your closet out, finally, and find stuff you had forgotten about that feels like a new treasure.

Swimming In Sea Water Has Mental Health Benefits

In July, swimming is a necessity. We are located in St Petersburg, Florida, where the best beaches are. I get in my car, and in 30 minutes I am sitting on white sand and looking at the sea, and I recognize why women in the 1700’s were sent to the seaside to “cure their hysteria.” Sea water contains all kinds of helpful minerals like magnesium, bromine, chloride sodium, iodine, and potassium, which calms you down and nourishes your skin. Just breathing in the salty sea air improves your mental health because of these important minerals, however, swimming in the water allows you to absorb the nutrients in your skin and also release stuck energy as you move or float through the water. 

Dancing As A Therapeutic Intervention

Another one of my favorite therapeutic activities this summer has been going dancing, and not caring how I am perceived by others. The socially awkward teenager inside of me would be shocked that I go out dancing without caring how I look. Sometimes, I still feel awkward and embarrassed, because I never considered myself a dancer, but I do love to dance, and I love loud music. There is something very meditative and special about allowing yourself to let go in a room full of other people and moving your body to sounds you love. Dancing can help you move through tough emotions and let go of negative energy. The combination of a good dj, good people, and good moves is a top tier treatment intervention this July. 

Singing Karaoke and Silencing Your Inner Critic

How is Karaoke therapeutic? It teaches you how rewarding it feels to do hard, uncomfortable things. If you’re not a singer, it feels so daunting to stand up in front of a crowd and sing one of your favorite songs. Most people were not born good singers – it’s something you dedicate yourself to working on improving, or a talent that you were just born with. While I like to sing, I never felt like my life’s purpose was to be a singer, therefore I never put effort into my singing skills, which is why I sing the way I do and feel slightly embarrassed when other people hear me sing. This is what makes karaoke so powerful for me, because it teaches me to accept myself as I am, knowing that I am not and won’t be perfect, and it also teaches me how to allow my playful and authentic self to be seen by others. People are judgmental, and they are going to think things about you. Singing karaoke in front of a bunch of people exposes you to that and makes you more resilient to being perceived by others. It takes work, but it is worthwhile.

“The joy we feel has little to di with the circumstances of our lives and everything to do with the focus of our lives.”

Russell M Nelson

 IF YOU FEEL STUCK ON YOUR HEALING JOURNEY, WORKING WITH A THERAPIST CAN HELP. BASED ON YOUR NEEDS, OUR INTAKE SPECIALIST WILL HELP YOU GET MATCHED UP WITH YOUR PERFECT THERAPIST. CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION.

Starting with a creative written voice and a BA in English from ASU, Alli Cravener has become so much more than Integrative Counsel’s voice! Not only is she a writer who is passionate about connecting concepts and content, Alli is also currently a grad student working towards her Master’s in Counseling. She is also the editor-in-chief, office manager, AND intake specialist at Integrative Counsel. When you call us, you’ll talk to Alli! Alli’s interests include painting, history, learning about other people, and wearing the color pink. She likens herself to a “mouse in a palm tree”, and she loves it that way.