We all have them. It’s that moment, where we haven’t left the house in days nor wasted energy on showering and Netflix has become our closest friend. This usually takes place in the heat of summer, when we’ve gotten in the groove of putting off responsibilities and we forget there’s a world outside of our rooms. It’s usually our darkest hours. We suddenly become nocturnal and serve no other purpose than to take up space. This “funk” is difficult to get out of, however not impossible.

Getting a summer job can help keep you accountable and provide structure for your life. With no mandatory school schedule, it’s an adventure trying to get out of bed. In fact, we’ve been training ourselves for most of summer to sleep in until noon at the very least because we’ve been exhausting ourselves with academics for the last nine months. But if you commit yourself to a job then it can act as a reason to get up in the morning.

Another way to avoid the summer blues is by living a healthier lifestyle. Join a gym. Start shopping at your local market. Keep your space clean such as your room, car, etc. or maybe pick up a new hobby and become a master at it. Little changes in your life can have a drastic effect in the long run, so don’t be afraid of trying something new.

The best way to avoid getting in a slump is by packing your summer full of camps. With a new adventure waiting around the corner every week, how will an individual not want to wake up? I attend two-three camps every year and although it’s tough saying goodbye to my friends each time, I’m always glad I decided to take the risk and attend camp. In fact, I’ve met some of my closest friends from summer camps and we now consider ourselves alumni whenever returning to these programs.

However, sometimes people do not realize they have a bad case of the summer blues. They stay locked inside their houses for hours on end, ignoring the phone calls from their peers all because they’ve brainwashed themselves into thinking this is okay. If you know someone like this then call them up. Take them out for dinner. Go to a museum with them. Catch a movie with them. They will appreciate it in the long run. Trust me, nothing is worse than wasting your entire summer indoors by yourself.

The summer blues is a real thing. People who are an only child, both their parents work, or a child of divorce are more prone to this than anyone else because 1) they are usually left home alone a lot or 2) don’t have anyone to do fun activities with. So don’t let your friends come down with a strong case of the summer blues, instead try to make this the best summer yet.