Ahh, summer…there is nothing quite like that feeling on the first day of summer. No longer having the responsibilities of school to deal with. No more tests or homework assignments to worry about. The only thing on your mind is sitting poolside with an iced lemonade in your hand.
While some people can look forward to a summer free of responsibilities, others may have big plans and responsibilities for summer, which may cause unwanted summer stress. Because of this, it is important to avoid neglecting yourself this summer and to stress the importance of mindfulness.
Thankfully, there are steps that you can fit into your schedule to ensure that you have a relaxing and mindful summer!
Get Some Fresh Air
Depending on where you live, the summer season may bring comfortable temperatures or scorching hot temperatures. No matter the weather, you should feel encouraged to get outside and touch some grass!
One easy yet gratifying step is to pick a hobby or activity that you have already incorporated into your daily routine. Maybe this is reading a good book or checking your emails. Now, do these routine things, but just outside!
You have to type a paper for a summer class you’re taking? Go to a park, sit on a bench, and complete the paper. You want to knit a sweater for your mom? Lay a blanket down on some grass and knit under the sun. You and your friends want to go out to eat? Switch it up and have a picnic instead!
The possibilities are endless when it comes to how you go about getting fresh air. But no matter how you decide, remember to DO SO!
Start Journaling
Journaling can be one of those activities that is not for everyone. Some people are avid journalists and document their schedules, thoughts, feelings, etc., every day. However, plenty of others struggle to make journaling an active habit.
If journaling is your thing, that’s great; keep doing this! However, if taking pen to paper is not your habit, here are some recommendations on how and why to start.
Starting small when it comes to journaling is the perfect approach. Don’t feel that you have to write for an hour. Simply grab your medium of choice (pen and notebook, digital notebook, etc.) and sit down for a few minutes to jot some things down.
Journaling has many benefits that can help you practice mindfulness this summer! Journaling can reduce stress, manage anxiety, boost memory, enhance creativity, clarify thinking, and…improve mindfulness. So, go ahead and journal away!
Have Goals And Plans
Having a list of goals and plans you would like to complete during the summer can give you something to look forward to!
Just think about it…
Someone asks you what plans you have for this summer, and you say, “Oh, nothing really.” While this may seem relaxing at first, you may find, come summer, that having no plans may result in boredom.
Your plans and goals do not have to be these big, elaborate things. They can be as small as telling yourself, “I want to make the goal of exercising this summer.” A statement like this gives you a lot of freedom. Exercise can present itself in many forms, such as running, yoga, swimming, etc.
Repeating goals to yourself in this way can allow for some wiggle room when it comes to how exactly you pursue these plans and goals.
Practice Healthy Eating And Drinking Habits
Healthy eating and drinking habits are always recommended at any time of the year. However, during the summer season, it is especially important to eat healthily and drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.
The summertime heat that certain parts of the world experience can heighten the risk of dehydration. Being dehydrated when it is a scorching 90 degrees Fahrenheit (or higher) outside is never enjoyable. To prevent this from occurring, there are many steps you can take to make sure you’re feeding your body with nothing but love this summer.
The first, and most important, inclusion to make sure you are doing this summer is carrying a water bottle with you. No matter where you are going, you should always have a hydrating drink next to you. It doesn’t matter if you will not be outside under the hot sun. Staying hydrated at all times of the day will pay off in the end, which your body will appreciate.
Going along with this, it is also essential to eat healthy during the summer season. Now, this does not necessarily mean that you have to eat salads every day. But if you want to, then by all means, don’t let anyone stop you!
However, it is important to ensure that your diet consists of a wide variety of foods, such as enough fruits and vegetables and lean meats, such as chicken breast, turkey, and salmon.
Reconnect With Old Friends
Reconnecting with old friends or loved ones can be something you can embark on at any time of the year. That said, it is often nice to check up on those who may be at the back of your mind.
Summertime often offers a slightly more flexible schedule for some people. This presents opportunities to spend more time with those you hold in your heart.
Your method of contacting old friends is totally up to you! You may want to send a text message, a direct message on Instagram, or even handwrite a letter to mail.
No matter which method of reaching out you choose, remember to enjoy the pure moment of reconnecting with those who you keep close to your heart.
Take Up A New Hobby
Summertime offers an excellent opportunity for taking up new hobbies. These hobbies can consist of anything and everything you want.
Some popular summer hobbies include gardening, hiking, baking, photography, and frisbee golf—the possibilities are endless!
The new hobby you choose does not necessarily have to be summer-related. It can be a hobby that is often done indoors. Just because it is the summer season, which can bring warmer weather, does not mean your new hobby has to be taken outdoors.
You may try to pick up a hobby, but you are not very good at it, or don’t enjoy it. If this is the case, don’t get discouraged! Find a new hobby, remembering to keep in mind your strengths and interests.
You can make your new hobby as common or as unique as you want. Just remember to choose something practical for you and your lifestyle!
Step Out Of Your Comfort Zone And Try Something New
Stepping out of your comfort zone can undoubtedly be intimidating. This is a completely normal reaction to have when approaching new opportunities!
This tip can be combined with our previous one about taking up a new hobby. Stepping out of your comfort zone can involve taking on a new hobby. However, trying something new can apply to many other things, not just hobbies.
You can try new food, a new music playlist, a new place to shop, or a new study spot. Trying something new may seem unpleasant to some, as many people find comfort in their routines.
There is nothing wrong with feeling comfortable with what you choose to do in your everyday life. However, summertime offers a great opportunity to take chances and try things you may not otherwise try!
Remember Your Boundaries
Lastly, and seemingly most importantly, REMEMBER YOUR BOUNDARIES. You should remind yourself of this no matter what time of year it is. That said, summer can bring many new opportunities, but not all will be up your alley.
And that is okay! For instance, your friends may want to go skydiving or zip-lining. While these activities both give a thrill of excitement, you may not feel comfortable partaking in them. Your friends may poke fun at you and say, “Aww, come on…just do it!” But this takes us back to the old lesson of peer pressure — and how not to give in to it.
You may enjoy experiencing a thrill of excitement, but in a less intense way. Maybe going down a water slide gives you that thrill, or something as simple as going for a run. What excites you may not match what excites your friends…and that is perfectly fine! What matters is that you do what you are comfortable with. It is still good to try stepping out of your comfort zone every once in a while, but only to the extent to which you are willing.
By following these tips, you can be guaranteed to have a mindful summer! Even if your summer schedule will be hectic, you should still try to incorporate at least a few of these steps into your busy routine. By simply bringing a water bottle with you, talking to a new person at work, and going for a walk on your lunch break, you will be a pro at being mindful this summer!
