This summer my brain has really been in a funk. We’ve grown up taught that summer is a time to take a break in life to have fun. It’s hard to shake the mentality. When you’re working around the clock and balancing school, it’s easy to get stuck in a mental rut. You need a mental tune up. Here are my three favorite tricks to feel rejuvenated and accomplished during the dog days of summer. (Spoiler alert: Netflix & chill is NOT one of them).

1. Make a reverse to-do list. You may feel like you are being unproductive, but you’re accomplishing more than you think. Stop thinking about what all you need to get done and start thinking about what all you have done (glass half full kind of thing). Write down what you accomplished at the end of each day to track your progress.

2. Meditate (really!). This one is coming from personal experience. When you’re running at a bazillion miles an hour, it’s no wonder you get stuck in a rut. Meditation does ~wonders~ for my brain that never seems to calm down. Peace is Every Step is my favorite book to learn about meditation. It’s a quick read and transformed the way I work!  

3. Pick up a new hobby. Push your brain to a new limit and channel your creative flow. When I’m not working on SPUR, I spray paint murals and play the drums. This keeps me sane and makes me more productive. When there’s a day I can’t seem to get anything done, I take it off to work on my art and music. This lets me refresh my brain and my soul.

Incorporate things that challenge your brain in new ways into your daily life. You’ll avoid exhaustion, mental fog, and, most importantly, burnout.