5 Areas of Life to Embrace for the Best Summer Yet
Summer has officially arrived! While this summer may not look quite like others, I am looking forward to the summer vibes that come with the next few months. Slow mornings, extra time with the family, endless outdoor adventures… the list could go on. If you’re ready to make this summer your best one yet, being intentional about how you spend your time and energy are essential.
You don’t need many resources to embrace these areas of your life. If fact, several of these topics relating to holistic wellness naturally come into play during these months. Are you ready for summer? I sure am!
1. Embrace the Season
With this new season comes flexibility that many people might not experience during any other part of the year. You may find you're able to sleep in a bit later since the kids aren't getting up at the crack of dawn to catch the school bus. And you'll most likely find more open space in your day with the end of the structured sports' schedules, which means a lot less driving time!
When summer kicks off, I always find a sense of excitement that fills my household. The kids are ready for a break, I welcome the new season with open arms, and summer activities feel fresh and new. By the end of summer, we are all usually eager to get back into a structured routine and schedule.
I encourage you to embrace all of these feelings and changes. Just like the seasons in a year, the months of summer all represent different seasons of life. Embrace each one and know that there is a time and place for everything.
Along with the rhythm and vibes that summer brings comes fresh produce stands, open hiking trails, days at the pool, and more in Central Pennsylvania. Welcome the fleeting days of summer and fill your life with the things that bring you joy.
How To: Create a list of the things you love most about summer. Your list might include sprucing up the yard with new flower beds, backyard camping, s’mores by the fire, trips to the local ice cream shop, and day trips to the beach. Review the list and put a star next to the ones you want to make a priority this year. Once you have your list, schedule time for these activities and make room in your life for what brings you happiness.
2. Embrace a Routine
The idea of having no schedule or routine for the summer may sound appealing at the start. But after a few weeks, a schedule or some loose structure can be very helpful. This does not mean that you have to use a planner to write in your activities every single day or even know what every day will look like. But this does mean that you are intentional with your time and make room for your priorities.
Your schedule doesn’t have to be rigid or hard to follow, but it should provide you with a sense of normalcy and routine within your weeks. For me, I plan out my summer days to account for fewer work hours since the kids are home (which has always been my DREAM) and extra yard work (which I LOVE). I guarantee you I'm scheduling time each day to dive into my favorite book and am taking a nap for sure.
Your schedule doesn’t have to have an hour by hour breakdown of what your day entails. Try structuring your days to accommodate the things that are important to you. When you are clear on what really matters to you, you can begin to eliminate all the things that do not.
How To: If you don’t already own a large, monthly calendar, find one online to print off or swing by your local Target to snag one. In your calendar, plan for the items you want in your life, such as time with your family, time for physical activity, time for fun, and even time for sleep. Once you get into your routine, you won't need to write everything down each day, but having this awareness will help you create the necessary space to make room for your priorities.
3. Embrace Your Daily Movement
Physical activity does not have to mean committing to a gym membership and working out two hours every day. If you already enjoy spending time in a gym, then that’s great! But if that doesn’t fit your current lifestyle, physical activity can mean so much more.
When planning your physical activity, it’s important to recognize what fits into your lifestyle. Are you an early riser or a night owl? This can help you better plan when to be active and when to rest. If you have the most energy in the morning, an early walk or yoga class may be a good fit for you. If you prefer afternoon activities or can’t see yourself waking up early, plan for some movement in the afternoon or evening.
How To: Your physical health is essential to your overall well-being, but it shouldn't be something you dread. Be Creative! You could plan daily walks, family hikes or bike rides, extra laps in the pool, or even paddle boarding. Take your yoga mat or weights outside, and enjoy the fresh air. The summer options are endless!
4. Embrace Seasonal Eating
I feel so blessed to live in an area with fresh produce, farms, and markets all at my fingertips. Nutritious food doesn’t have to be bland or boring, and you don’t have to break the bank to find it. When the summer months roll around, seasonal eating becomes much more natural for many people. With lots of fresh produce available and lighter meal options, follow your instincts, and eat the foods that make you feel good.
When I think of summer eating, I envision stopping by a roadside stand on the way home from the pool and choosing the most vibrant fruits and veggies available. You are guaranteed to find me purchasing corn, tomatoes, and watermelon at each visit. I absolutely prioritize cookouts and family meals outdoors whenever possible. You don’t have to overthink it or restrict the foods you enjoy eating but recognize the foods that fuel you and consider supporting small businesses, like local farms, while doing so!
How To: When you’re managing a busy schedule, nutrition can often be the first thing you sacrifice. Try planning time to make nutrition a priority this summer. Whether that’s meal planning your dinners or adding time to your calendar to stop by your local farmer’s market, be intentional about your food choices and nutrition.
5. Embrace the Practice of Mindfulness
Meditation is a practice I often reference with my clients, but not everyone understands what it could look like for them. When you hear meditation, what do you think of? Maybe you visualize someone sitting cross legged on their floor for hours in complete silence. While that might be a practice for many, it doesn't have to be YOUR practice.
For me personally, I do enjoy a daily commitment of a 30-minute cross-legged meditation. However, I also seek as many other opportunities throughout the day to tune in and observe my thoughts. One of my favorite times is while washing the dishes. I used to hate washing the dishes. But the dishes weren't going away, so I decided to shift my perspective and focused on the warm water, the fresh soapy scent, and my mental list of things to be grateful for. Suddenly, I found myself treasuring the time spent washing the dishes!
The key is to find out what works for you and your life. I encourage you to be open and curious, and simply try a few different practices to see what you enjoy best. I suggest you start with a guided meditation app, an inspiring podcast, daily affirmations, and journal entries or even creating a vision board. What we feed our minds is just as important, if not more important, as what we feed our bodies. Each one of us holds the power to choose what we think and how we feel. I urge you to take personal responsibility for the thoughts you choose each day.
How To: Try creating a vision board with your friends or family. All you need is some old magazines, a pair of scissors, a poster board to paste your visions onto, and glue or tape. Page through the magazines and find things that bring you joy such as a peaceful space, words or quotes, color palettes, and more. Cut those out, create your board, and put it somewhere you look often! If you've already created a vision board, I encourage you to make new ones frequently. You can look back at the different seasons of your life and see how you’ve grown and evolved over the years.
Remember, Consistency is Key
Most people underestimate the power of consistency in frequent, small doses. Your life is made up of the small, daily choices you make. If you’re not loving those current choices, allow this new season to be your catalyst for change. You have the power to control your thoughts, feelings, and actions. And remember, what we do every day matters a lot more than what we do every once in a while.
Embrace this new season of life, make room for the things that matter, and be intentional about where and how you spend your time. By doing so, you can have your best summer yet!