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

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.

Last Modified: 7/23/2024, 3:39:09 PM

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