Summer Cottage Burn-out and How to Avoid It!

We all wait desperately for the Canadian cottage season to begin. The winter’s long months and the double whammy of Covid-19 isolation made the anticipation for this summer even greater. Now it is here. The dog days of summer. Let’s enjoy it to the fullest.  This enjoyment often comes with entertaining and hosting friends and family at your cottage. While it is always awesome to have your close friends and family to share the summer days with, it can become overwhelming with all the planning, sheet changing, dinner preparation, late nights, and cocktails. Here is a list of things that we can all do to help prevent the summer cottage burn-out.

1. Drink water. Lots of water. Hydration is key. For your energy and health. Make a goal of two litres a day. Always keep a water bottle or large glass around and focus on sipping throughout the day.
2. Ask for help. Your guests are often more than happy to take on more of the load, but often don’t know how to help best. Ask them to change the sheets or bring their own for that matter. Share the meal planning. People love to show off their favourite dish and share it.
3. Take a break. It is okay to say no. Have a dedicated period just for you and your family to enjoy together. It is also okay when having guests to take a period to yourself to read a book, go for a walk or whatever you need to recharge. Everyone is different. Some people recharge when around people, others need that alone time to recharge.
4. Do what you love. Does your family love wakeboarding and skiing and you just want to play a board game? That is okay to ask to do the things you like to do and plan a time for this. Maybe it is that rainy day or evening that you can break out the games or get everyone out on a hike…whatever your thing.
5. Easy Meal Prep. Pre-plan and prepare easy meals. Forget the complicated prep and gourmet meals. Buy a pre-made salad or pre-marinade dish that takes little prep and reduce the time in the kitchen.