A Blissful Life 8/5/25: Summer Anxiety
Summer in Rockaway Beach is nothing short of magic. The long, golden days. The salty ocean air. The way neighbors come out of hibernation to gather, celebrate, and soak in the season together. But for many of us, especially parents juggling unpredictable schedules, full houses, and the pressure to make the most of summer, this season can quietly bring something else: anxiety.
Anxiety often doesn’t show up as panic or fear. It can look like restlessness, irritability, brain fog, over-planning, or that sense that something is “off.” In a season that begs us to be present, anxiety pulls us away from the very moments we want to enjoy.
Here’s the good news: you are not powerless. Anxiety is not a flaw or a failure, it’s a signal. And when you learn to notice it, befriend it, and work with it, it stops running the show. Below are some science-backed tools and simple shifts to help you move through anxiety with more grace, so you can enjoy your summer, and your people, fully.
Feel It to Heal It: When anxiety hits, your first instinct might be to scroll, snack, or snap at someone. Instead, pause, take a breath, place one hand on your chest and one on your belly, feel your body, and feel the ground beneath you. Simply acknowledging “I feel anxious right now” can deactivate your brain’s stress response. Research from UCLA shows that naming your emotions calms the amygdala (the brain’s alarm system) and helps you respond rather than react.
Regulate Through the Body: Anxiety lives in the nervous system. To shift it, you have to move. Try shaking out your arms and legs for one minute, taking a brisk walk around the block, or doing a yoga pose that feels grounding, like Child’s Pose or Legs Up the Wall. Moving your body signals to your brain that you are safe. Bonus: movement also releases endorphins and increases GABA, a neurotransmitter that calms the nervous system.
Get Outside (Barefoot if You Can): The beauty of Rockaway is right outside your door. Studies have shown that time in nature reduces cortisol, lowers blood pressure, and enhances mood. Even ten minutes of ocean air, sunlight, and sand between your toes can reset your entire system. This isn’t just poetic, it’s biological. Your body needs nature to regulate.
Breathe Intentionally: One of the fastest ways to calm anxiety is through the breath. Try this simple practice: inhale for 4 counts, exhale for 6. Do this for two minutes. Longer exhales activate the parasympathetic nervous system (your body’s built-in relaxation response). You can do this at a red light, on the beach, or while your kids are bickering in the backseat.
Give Yourself Permission to Slow Down: You don’t have to do it all. Your summer doesn’t have to be perfectly curated or productive. When anxiety tells you you’re falling behind or doing it wrong, remember: connection is what matters most. A spontaneous beach picnic, a laugh with your kids, or a quiet cup of coffee watching the waves... that’s the good stuff. That’s what they’ll remember.
Reach Out: Anxiety thrives in isolation. Talk to a friend, take a class, or come to yoga. Being with others in a shared space, especially one centered on breath and movement, can remind your body that it’s not alone and that everything is okay.
This summer, don’t let anxiety steal the joy that’s right in front of you. With a little awareness and some daily grounding practices, you can ride the waves of life with more steadiness and presence. You deserve to feel good in your body, at home in your mind, and connected to the people you love.
Come practice with us at Ocean Bliss Yoga! If you need a place to reset, recharge, and reconnect, join us at Ocean Bliss– our plant-filled studio sanctuary overlooking the water on the third floor of the Belle Harbor Yacht Club. This August, we’re offering yoga and Pilates classes for all levels, a Sound Bath on August 20, and plenty of opportunities to sweat, pause, and breathe. Come see why our community is the heart of what we do. Sign up at oceanblissyoga.net and let’s find peace, together. Questions? Call or text me at 917-318-1168.