Lewen Faith Wilson

Senior Kaitlyn Ornelas sits comfortably in the NHS library. One of her favorite ways to relax during the summer is to read. “I read all the time,” Ornelas said. “It’s a good way to chill and spend my time.”

With summer just around the corner, eager students awaiting the end of the school year tend to forget to stay active and healthy during the summer. Picking up mindful hobbies to help relax and unwind, can improve one’s well-being and personal growth, while balancing mental and physical health during break.
Senior Kaitlyn Ornelas has found ways to help her stay health-conscious during summer break. She said something that keeps her mind relaxed during the summer is doing activities that she finds enjoyable.
“I hang out with people I enjoy being around,” Ornelas said. “I play video games too.”
Taking some time alone can also be beneficial to one’s mental health as it allows more time to recover from burnout.
“I get to take more time to myself rather than worrying about homework or assignments being done, so over the summer I can just focus on me and do what I wanna do and not school,” Ornelas said. “From elementary school, it was more fun and I was like ‘Oh yeah, I get to do whatever I want,’ when there was no school, but as I got older, it was more of a break from school because school gets very overwhelming and so it’s a nice-little time to readjust.”
Picking up a healthy hobby and adding a personal spin to the mix can help one stay creative. Walnut Grove High School freshman Bonnie Wei copes with her summer thoughts by journaling.
“When I’m journaling, it’s like a way for me to vent and just talk … about everything in life,” Wei said. “Coming up with the themes for each month is super fun and it’s a creative outlet for me to de-stress. Journaling also helps me keep track of everything that I need whether it’s working hours for a [school] club over the summer or notes that I need to remember.”
Wei said she also copes with her thoughts by making summer mood boards.
“I think mood boards are a great way to lay out your thoughts, goals and aspirations for yourself,” Wei said,.“[It’s] something that you can look back on and see how you have changed.”
Caring for physical health during the summer can be just as important as caring for mental health. Whether it be an active summer sport or a fun summer activity. Ornelas said she stays active during the summer by swimming.
“I go to my neighborhood pool and I spend all day there with my friends or family,” Ornelas said, “I swim or tan and it helps me to keep active in a fun way.”
Developing a workout routine can also be beneficial for someone wanting to keep active throughout the summer.
Wei said she creates a summer workout schedule for herself to keep fit and productive.
“I’m more lazy during the summer –– as I have more time on my hands –– so I tend to just lay around not doing much,” Wei said. “The schedule I have helps me … get some movement in. My head clears and I feel better compared to just laying in bed.”
Moving to pump blood through the body isn’t the only thing keeping people healthy during the summer; eating habits also play a crucial role in staying healthy.
“I eat fruits and drink a plentiful amount of water every day,” Ornelas said.
Wei said snacks are her go-to whenever she is hungry during long summer days.
“Veggies are important and yummy and I make sure my snacks are healthy for my body,” Wei said.
Ornelas said she makes her summer last by capturing moments of her summer.
“I take a lot of pictures of everything …,” Ornelas said. “I like to make a lot of memories.”
Wei said she enjoys her summer by enjoying the little things.
“Pay attention to the little things and capture every moment,” Wei said. “Put your phone down and make more
memories. They last a lifetime.”