This time of the year can be a lot of fun, and a great time to make memories, let off steam built up from a winter of spending too much time inside, etc. However, there are also lots of pitfalls that can lead to unpleasant mornings, days or weeks after the party is over. We are here to help you avoid some of these. This Summer Festival Self Care Guide will help you get the most out of this summer season. We will cover the importance of good nutrition, hydration, taking time for meditation, mindfulness and good heart to heart conversation.
The Importance Of Good Nutrition
Eating a balanced diet has been a topic of importance for some time, and it is incredibly important in every day life. This goes double for festival time when you may be dancing. In the hot sun for long periods, possibly drinking alcohol. It is important to prepare by having a good source of nutrients for your mind and body to produce the resources you need to enjoy as much of the party as you can. When planning your food there are a few key factors I like to consider.
Natural-look for food that has not been processed ideally, and if you do get packaged food, look for things with the least amount of chemicals. There are many studies linking consumption of certain food additives to several mental health conditions, with various symptoms. The closer the food to its original form the better! Bring lots of fruit, nuts, seeds, chocolate, porridge. Cooking your own food is also incredibly satisfying in any outdoor setting, and helps avoid packaged food. Bring a small gas powered BBQ and you won’t regret it!
Hydrate
All your cells need water to work. Water is also the base for all your different body fluids, including saliva, blood, urine, sweat, and joint fluid. No living thing can survive without water. When you’re dehydrated your body does not have the resources to complete important functions and can lead to a whole host of unpleasant symptoms. Always bring a drink bottle, find one that’s attached with a strap so you always have it on you. The symptoms of dehydration can include Extreme thirst
Less frequent urination
Dark-coloured urine
Fatigue
Dizziness
Confusion
Listlessness or irritability
Sunken eyes, cheeks
Add Meditation To Your Festival Routine
The practice of meditation has been around for a really long time. The benefits of this practice have been studied and witnessed by many over centuries. There are countless places that will teach you their version of a meditation practice. They range from traditional sitting in a still pose for long periods, to walking meditations where one may follow some laid out maze on the ground, to 8 day retreats where no one can speak for the entire time. Many gurus will say different things, but a very good place to start is this: Sit down somewhere comfortable at a time each day, I like to do a few minutes at sunrise, and a few at sunset.
The Technique
Sit and breathe deeply. As you inhale think of a glass of water being filled, a deep breath. As you exhale think of the glass tipping out, and count 1, that is a breath. Do this until you reach 10. But if a thought other than the water or the count intrudes, start again. This is trickier than it sounds. But by the time you reach ten you are in a good meditation rhythm. The benefits have been found to be
Giving you a new way to look at things that cause stress.
Building skills to manage your stress.
Making you more self-aware.
Focusing on the present.
Reducing negative feelings.
Helping you be more creative.
Helping you be more patient.
Lowering resting heart rate.
Lowering resting blood pressure.
Helping you sleep better.
Meditation has been found to help deal with symptoms of Anxiety.
Asthma.
Cancer.
Chronic pain.
Depression.
Heart disease.
High blood pressure.
Irritable bowel syndrome.
Sleep problems.
Tension headaches.
Just a session of as little as ten minutes can be felt to be beneficial, once you start feeling the benefits the ability to sit longer sessions will grow in you.
Using the festival space for therapeutic conversation
Festivals are the perfect space to get deep with your friends and loved ones, or have a frank an honest discussion with a perfect stranger. There are many benefits to doing this in an environment where inhibitions are lowered and listeners are more open and receptive to new ideas. Having these conversations with your friends and family will help grow the relationships, talk about overcoming any problems that have been arising. They help build a foundation of trust and understanding, and help overcome future challenges with a shared base of perspective. Talking about things that have been bothering you in every day life can be helpful to get fresh perspective on a difficult situation . There are many things that can be done at a festival, dancing is just one!
In Conclusion
Festival season is going to bring it’s own world of joys and memories. Let this year be a year where the memories are all bright and nostalgic. Incorporate these safer raving practices when you plan your party schedules and have a great summer.
Don’t forget to check out our awesome shop, and get some goodies for your next Festival. We have the best range of Fibre Optic Ravewear, LET Trimmed Cloaks, Accessories, and even Lasers and Lighting equipment. Everything you need to have an absolute blast at your next event!
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