Living in the Sunshine State, it's easy to feel pressured to get outside and take advantage of a beautiful, sunny day.
You're not alone. That feeling has a name: sunshine guilt.
Sunshine guilt is when you feel guilty for staying in or having to work instead of enjoying the sunshine - whether that's hitting the pool, snorkeling in the springs, or kayaking in Hillsborough County's rivers, creeks, and waterways.
Tips to help
Here are a few tips to alleviate feelings of sunshine guilt.
- Prioritize self-care
- There's nothing wrong with wanting to stay inside and relax at home. In fact, relaxing can be good for you! Research from Yale found that making time to relax reduces stress and helps avoid depression and anxiety.
- Mediate
- Sometimes, sunshine guilt manifests while you're at work and can't make time to get outside. Taking just a few minutes to meditate can mitigate negative feelings like guilt or anxiety. The Hillsborough County Mindful Monday YouTube playlist has a selection of brief, guided meditations and relaxation exercises.
- Find indoor activities
- If the heat is too much, have fun with indoor activities! There are several events and activities in Hillsborough County. You can check out a show at the New Tampa Performing Arts Center or explore the events and class programs offered at the Hillsborough County libraries.
Hillsborough County Mindful Mondays
Mindful Mondays promotes different ways you can make your mental health a priority, despite having a busy schedule. From chair yoga virtual classes to tips on how to decompress after a long day, Hillsborough County's Mindful Mondays has various interactive resources for you to access no matter what day or time it is. New content updated on a continuing basis.