5 Summer Self-Care Tips: Why Therapy Intensives Should Be #1
By Olga Konyakova, LCSW, CADC a Trauma Intensive Therapist
Summer is often portrayed as a season of rest, joy, and rejuvenation—but for many women, it feels anything but relaxing. If you’re a high-achiever, a caregiver, or someone who simply juggles too much, summer can actually amplify burnout. That’s why intentional, effective summer self-care matters more than ever.
And if you're looking for the most powerful reset possible? Therapy intensives should be at the top of your list.
Here are five transformative summer self-care tips—with #1 being a game changer for your emotional wellness.
How to reset with therapy
1. Prioritize a Therapy Intensive
If traditional weekly therapy feels too slow or you’ve hit a plateau, a therapy intensive offers deep, focused healing in a condensed timeframe. Think of it as emotional CPR—designed to meet you where you are and move you forward quickly.
Therapy intensives are especially helpful for:
Processing trauma or life transitions
Unpacking long-standing patterns
Creating space for clarity and renewal
This summer, instead of just taking time off work, take time in—for you. It’s the kind of mental health support busy people rarely give themselves permission to receive, and it can set the tone for how the rest of the year unfolds.
2. Create Boundaries Around “Free Time”
Just because summer schedules loosen doesn’t mean your time is up for grabs. Boundaries are a form of self-care. Protect your energy by being intentional about rest, solitude, or joy-driven activities. You don't need to say yes to every BBQ or family visit.
3. Spend 10 Minutes a Day Outdoors (Without Your Phone)
Sunshine and nature regulate the nervous system—no big hike required. Step outside barefoot. Sit on your porch. Breathe deeply. Let nature do what it does best: ground and restore. Summer self-care doesn't need to be complicated to be powerful.
4. Simplify Your Morning Routine
Burnout often starts the moment your feet hit the floor. This summer, trade hustle for gentleness. Wake up 15 minutes earlier to stretch, journal, or sip your coffee slowly. A simplified start can shape the whole day’s tone.
5. Make One “Soulful” Plan Per Week
Pick something just for you—a museum visit, a solo beach walk, an unread novel. The goal isn’t productivity but soul-satisfaction. When you’re constantly pouring out, these small infusions help refill you.
Summer doesn’t need to be another season you survive. With intentional summer self-care, including the powerful support of a therapy intensive, you can actually begin to feel like yourself again.
If you’re craving deeper healing and a reset that sticks, I’d love to support you. Learn more about my trauma-informed therapy intensives and make this summer the season you return home to yourself.