6 Mindful Summer Activites
I love Summer. My husband hates it. In fact, most of my family members hate summer. One of their complaints is that it is too hot. For me, summer takes me back to my childhood on the farm. Going fishing, swimming in the creek, tanning on a blanket on a hill on my parents’ property, running through the sprinklers while my dad cooked burgers on the Barbeque. Those were the days. As I have gotten older, I still love participating in summer activities.
As a therapist, I know that these activities are an important part of my mental health and wellness. They keep my body active and my brain producing the endorphins I need to feel balanced. For those who are less than enthusiastic about the summer months, there may be a reluctance to participate in the traditional activities summer affords. Some of us might isolate ourselves more to keep cool, or busy ourselves with indoor activities to stay out of the heat. However, for optimal wellness, moderate outdoor activity is essential. Here are a few tips to help stay safe and cool in the summer, while getting outdoors and getting some much-needed vitamin D.
Wear Sunscreen. I cannot stress how important this is. A sunburn can turn a fun summer day into a painful summer week! Not only does it put a damper on summer activities, but it increases the risk of early aging and skin cancer. So, liberally slather on the sunscreen about every 70 minutes you are in the sun, and you will be able to enjoy the outdoors longer.
Keep yourself cool! We are generally more active in the summertime. That means we will get overheated if we are not careful. If you know you are going to be outdoors for the day, pack spray bottles filled with water in your ice chest. You can also pack wet washcloths in zip lock bags in your ice chest. Keep them handy so you grab them and cool off quickly. Be sure and focus on keeping your head and neck cool, as this is where you carry the most heat.
Watch the sunrise/set. Generally, in the summer, sunrise and sunset are the coolest parts of the day. What a great opportunity to enjoy watching the sun rise and set! For many people, this is a peaceful experience that brings a lot of joy. Look for opportunities to experience joy in your life, like watching the sunrise with a cup of coffee, or watching the sunset on the lake. Use this time to close your eyes and listen to nature singing to you. Hear the wind rustle the trees, the birds singing, and the crickets chirping. Notice what feelings come up for you as you practice mindfulness. Add some basic yoga to your sunrise/sunset routine and notice where you tend to hold tension in your body.
Keep a Summer journal. Write about your summer adventures in a journal. Did you pick up a new hobby this summer? Write about it! Did you see some relatives you have not seen in a while at a family reunion? Jot down your feelings about that. Did you check something off your bucket list? Write about it! Journaling has been shown to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. The more you write about your feelings and thoughts, the more balance you bring into your life.
Allow yourself to be spontaneous! One of the things my family loves to do every year goes on a spontaneous road trip/camping trip. We have taken a last-minute road trip to Padre Island and camped out on the beach, we have also gone to some local lakes and gone fishing or boating. Think about something you have not done in a while, or something you have always wanted to do, and go for it! Whether it is going up in a hot air balloon (something that is on my bucket list) or going kayaking at a local lake, the time is now to take the time to do what you want to do.
Go to therapy. Regardless of the season, go to therapy on a regular basis. Therapy can help process difficult emotions and thoughts. It can help you discover areas in your life in need of growth that you might have not otherwise looked at. A person does not need to have a mental illness to go to therapy. Going to therapy does not mean there is “something wrong.” Everyone needs a person in their lives they can talk to that is unbiased and able to help them uncover a different perspective. Give yourself the gift of therapy this summer. You will thank yourself for it!
Whatever you decide to do this summer, remember that it is all about bringing balance to your life. In order to be well physically and mentally, we must do things that bring balance to our lives. If, for you, that means more physical activity, plan to increase your movement this summer. If that looks like more quiet time, make plans to watch more quiet sunsets/sunrises and do some journaling. If that is feeling more connected, make plans to contact some friends or family and go to the lake together. Whatever it is, be intentional about your wellness this summer, and have a great one!