Supporting Your Nervous System Through a Busy Summer
- Riki Marie
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Summer is often pictured as relaxing and carefree. We think about sunshine, vacations, family gatherings, and long evenings spent outdoors.
But if we're honest, summer can also become very busy. Calendars fill up quickly. Routines change. There are more social events, more travel, and often less time to truly rest. Even the heat itself can leave us feeling tired and drained.
As someone who tends to stay busy, I've learned that summer can sneak up on me. What starts as a few fun plans can quickly become a full calendar. Over the years, I've learned that when I start feeling more tired, irritable, or stretched thin, it's usually my nervous system asking for a little extra care.
That's why caring for ourselves during the summer months is so important.
When Summer Starts Feeling Too Full
Many of us enter summer with the feeling that we should be doing more.
More activities. More plans. More trips. More time with family and friends.
Before long, the calendar becomes packed, and we stop noticing the signs that our body is asking us to slow down.
Sometimes the nervous system responds by making us feel:
exhausted
emotionally reactive
anxious
overstimulated
disconnected
irritable
unable to sleep well
Even enjoyable experiences can become draining when we don't give ourselves enough time to recover. Our nervous system was never designed to stay in "go mode" all the time.
The Nervous System Needs Rest Too
The nervous system is always responding to what is happening around us.
Heat, noise, travel, crowded spaces, disrupted sleep, and constant activity can all create stress inside the body.
When the nervous system becomes overloaded, it may become harder to focus, relax, or feel emotionally balanced.
That's why summer self-care isn't only about pampering ourselves. It's about helping the body feel supported, safe, and calm.
And often, the smallest moments of rest can make the biggest difference.
Gentle Ways to Support Yourself This Summer
Supporting your nervous system doesn't need to be complicated. Simple daily choices can help the body settle and recharge.
Protect Quiet Moments
Try not to schedule every part of the day.
Even a few quiet minutes in the morning with coffee, tea, prayer, meditation, or deep breathing can help your nervous system begin the day more calmly.
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration can increase fatigue, headaches, irritability, and stress on the body.
During hot summer days, drinking enough water is one of the simplest ways to support both physical and emotional well-being. and be sure one of those glasses of water has electrolytes in it.
Spend Time Outdoors
Nature can be incredibly calming for the nervous system.
Walking barefoot in the grass, sitting near water, or spending a few quiet moments outside can help the body feel more grounded and settled. Get some natural vitamin D - just 10 minutes will help!
Allow Yourself to Rest
Rest is not laziness. This is something I continue to practice myself. Sometimes the most supportive thing I can do is leave a little white space on my calendar instead of filling every opening.
Not every moment of summer needs to be productive or planned. Sometimes the best thing we can do is simply slow down.
Using Essential Oils for Support
You know how I enjoy my Essential oils, they can also be a gentle way to support relaxation during busy seasons.
When using essential oils, quality matters. I personally prefer using the pure, tested-grade oils provided by doTERRA because knowing what is in the oil is important when using them to support overall wellness and relaxation.
Some of my favorite oils for summer include:
Lavender for relaxation and sleep
Peppermint for cooling and mental clarity
Frankincense for grounding and meditation
Wild Orange for uplifting mood and emotional balance
You might use them in a diffuser, add a few drops to a bath, or place a diluted oil on your wrists or the bottoms of your feet. Even taking one slow breath with a calming scent can help signal the body to pause and soften.
A Simple Summer Reset
When life begins to feel overstimulating, try this simple reset.
Step outside for a few minutes.
Take a slow breath.
Place one hand on your heart.
Notice what you hear, see, and feel around you.
Allow yourself to slow down for just a moment.
Small pauses like this help remind the nervous system that it does not need to stay in a constant state of stress.
A Gentle Reminder
Summer does not have to be filled with nonstop activity to be meaningful. Sometimes the most healing moments are the quiet ones.
Sitting outside in the evening.
Listening to the birds.
Resting in the shade.
Taking a deep breath before the next thing begins.
Supporting your nervous system is not about doing everything perfectly. It's about learning to listen when your body asks for rest, calm, and balance. The way you care for yourself today becomes the foundation for how you feel tomorrow. And sometimes, even with supportive routines, our bodies still need a little extra help finding that sense of calm again.
This is the work I'm honored to hold space for through my virtual Reiki and somatic sessions—supporting the nervous system in gently returning to a place of balance, connection, and ease.
If you're new to this work and would like to experience it for yourself, I also offer a complimentary Holy Love Experience session through my website.
If you're feeling called to create more calm and balance within your body, I'd love to support you.
Warmly,
Riki Marie
Holistic Living Tips & Natural Solutions
Naturally-Refreshing
P.S. If you’re looking for additional support this summer, I also created a few short videos to support your journey.
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