It’s May!  Yay!  Although I’m thrilled that spring has finally sprung, I’m feeling tired and frazzled – are you feeling the same way?

If you have kids, then the month of May is one of the busiest months of the school year as teachers add homework in order to finish teaching the curriculum in time for exams.  It’s also when plays, recitals, playoffs, championships, year-end parties, and many assessments take place.

Even without kids, you’re likely feeling the time crunch because it’s the last month before summer holidays.  Projects are basically at a standstill in the summer given staggered vacations and long weekends.  Socially, people like to catch-up before everyone goes in different summer directions.  Let’s face it: in North America, we live for the summer when we tend to ‘take it easy’ or travel.  Maybe that’s why May is so busy as we gear up for the long break!

So, how can you keep calm while squeezing more month out of May?

Here’s what I’ve been doing:

• Going to pick up my kids earlier and taking a book while waiting.  It’s my quiet time while I’m transported into a different world.  I savor every moment.  Sometimes I also eat alone and read, which, albeit anti-social, has a calming effect.
• Not sleeping in on the weekends because the sound of peace and quiet at home and in the city makes me feel calm for the rest of the day.  Just lying in bed with time to think is heavenly.
• Unplugging from electronics and social media.  This has been easier for me, for some strange reason, now that the days are longer.  Even if I’m on my devices for half an hour less a day, I feel more relaxed.
• Walking more.  This means ‘mindfully’ not driving to nearby places.  It also means parking a bit away from my destination and enjoying walking outside in warmer weather.
• Watching TV with the family.  Believe it or not, this is an activity that we don’t do that often, but on the weekends when the kids need a break, watching TV can be very relaxing as we sit together.
• Going for a bike ride.  Hands down, this is one of my favorite spring and summer activities.  Living in Toronto, which dubs itself ‘a city within a park‘, you can get on a number of trails within minutes of your house.  On my bike, I’m not talking or thinking that much – I’m just focusing on the trail.
• Spending more time outside.  This could mean gardening, putting out lawn furniture, or manually watering the lawn just to get some quiet time in.
• Saying no to activities.  This is a hard one for me because I don’t like to say no.   But, I’ve said no to a few events this month because I felt that I wouldn’t enjoy the events as much as I needed the downtime.  It’s one of the best things I have done for me and my family.

Do you feel you need to squeeze more month out of May?  I’d love to hear what you do!