By Lori Welch Brown

She’s hot and steamy, and she’s here. Hello, August. 

Apologies to all the August birthday people, but beyond those people (who number many and are some of my most beloved), in my humble opinion, August has zero redeeming qualities. It’s the drag month—it drags me down at least. As soon as the calendar page is flipped, it’s the looming reminder that summer is coming to a close.

And, it’s hot. This year it’s blistering—making it challenging to do some of the things I love like going for a bike ride or a run. I’ve never experienced heat stroke, but I’m pretty sure it’s not a good time. Temperatures soar and so do tempers. My usual sweet—albeit impatient—demeanor turns into Cruella Deville. I’m pretty sure I’m not alone when I say that I’ve taken cranky to new heights. Just ask my husband, XXL.

I’m resisting the temptation to change into my pajamas at 5:00 pm, queue up The Bear, and curl up under the A/C vent. Summer hibernation. Might as well be—thanks to Ben & Jerry for helping me add on my extra layer of fat for the winter.

But hey—I welcome a challenge, and August presents a good one. It challenges me to find ways to get out and move and be in the world which is important to my mental health. It reminds me that change is always around the corner and to be patient (not my strong suit). September—which I adore—is right around the corner. So are cooler temps (hopefully), pleasant evenings, and the opportunity to wear jeans again without feeling like I’m wearing a Volkswagen.

It may be the “dog” days of summer, but it doesn’t have to be. It could be the ultimate patio party or the month of boozy brunches. It could be the month you decide to take a cooking class or finally go check out that exhibit at the National Gallery of Art you’ve been dying to see.   Maybe it’s the month you decide to join a gym—why wait until January? Just because you didn’t have the bathing suit body of your dreams this summer doesn’t mean it can’t happen next year. You know who rocks a bathing suit? A strong, confident person. BMI be damned.

August is also a good time to navel gaze—and studies have found that navel gazing is good for your well-being. Take that much deserved break. Rest and relax. Day dream. You don’t need a passport and a hammock in the Bahamas in order to enjoy a nap. XXL has been extolling the values of nap time ever since I met him. Don’t tell him, but I actually agree with him on this one. Some of my best sleep has happened on a sand-encrusted towel.

The world continues to feel scary and headed for oblivion, and August certainly isn’t helping with her heat wave and humidity levels. Which is why it’s so important for each of us to do what we can to keep our cool. To focus on the things that our within our control—which is our own self-care and self-regulation. It’s more important than ever to promote our own health and well-being so that we can radiate our goodness (and calm sense of being) out into the world.

Being irritated, angry, and frustrated is easy. We can all master that. All we have to do is read the newspaper or turn on the evening news. It’s not reacting and/or flipping our mental switch that’s the challenge. It takes energy and effort which is in short supply especially during these days of record-high temps.

Take a lesson from your pooch—after all, they don’t call it the dog days of summer for nothing. Replace irritated, angry, and frustrated with rested, restored, and replenished. Go for a swim. Curl up and take a nap. Heck—stay in bed all day if the mood strikes—only get up long enough to bark at the mailman or relieve yourself. Take a long drink of cold water. Lie on your back and enjoy a belly rub. Linger in the kitchen until someone hands you a treat. Lick the drips off the melting ice cream cone. Wag your tail in happy anticipation of every passerby and cry with excitement when you see the ones you love.

Breaking news—Enquiring minds aka Lucy and Josie want to know why it’s not the “cat” days of summer as they are the reigning queens of enjoying a long, lazy day. They recommend moving at a very slow pace to conserve energy. Only exert speed when a human moves toward the food area, a bird flies past the window, or you’re pounced on. Only use your voice when a human isn’t moving toward the food area and/or isn’t rubbing your ears at the designated time aka 4:00 am. They also recommend finding a sun beam and lying in it up until which time said lazy human moves toward the food area. Then run like your tail is on fire!

About the Author: Lori is a local writer, painter and pet lover who loves to share her experiences and expertise with our readers. She has been penning a column for the OTC for over 20 years. Please follow Lori online on Medium for more missives like this.