With its warm temps, laid-back atmosphere, and extra hours of sunlight, summer is the perfect time to recharge and soothe your soul. If you’ve had a rough winter and spring or if you just want to benefit from some increased self-care, summer is the perfect time to put some calming practices into place.
Here are five ways you can soothe your soul during the steamy months of summer:
Eat in Season
There’s something incredibly relaxing about strolling through a farmer’s market and admiring the vibrant fruits and vegetables that are grown locally and meant to be eaten during the summer season. When you eat in season, your body is more in tune with nature. You also benefit from selections that are perfectly ripe and aren’t loaded with pesticides or preservatives. Pick out a few new fruits and veggies you want to try this year and make it a weekend habit to visit your local market for a fun and inspiring shopping experience.
Take Reflective Walks
The warm air and increased daylight hours of summer make it a perfect time to take long, reflective walks. Choose a nearby location that relaxes you, such as a lake or wooded area, and try to take walks a few times a week. If you really want to benefit from the introspection that walks trigger, leave your headphones at home and spend the time with your thoughts, or using all of your senses to take in your surroundings.
Rewind Time and Play Like a Child
Do you remember the carefree days of your childhood? Playing hide and seek, dancing around the yard in the sprinklers, and making forts may feel like fond memories of the past, but they don’t need to be. Summer is the ideal time to reconnect with your inner child and renew your sense of fun and play. Though it may look a little different than when you were a child, tapping into your sense of wonder and letting go of the seriousness of adulthood can be a very soothing activity.
Spend Time by the Water
New research has proven that those who live near the ocean experience better health and less stress than those who don’t. However, if you don’t live by the deep blue sea, you can still benefit from the soothing qualities of water as researchers have found that lakes, rivers, and even urban water sources can have positive benefits. This summer, make plans to relax on the beach with a good book, eat your lunch on a bench by the lake, or just put a small fountain in your back yard to reap the beneficial soothing sounds of water.
Take a Break from Drama
Physical vacations are often so invigorating because we get a break from all the drama that surrounds our lives at home. However, you can still get the same break while staying in town. Limit the time you spend with those who always seem to complain or have problems, turn the news off, and fill your head with spiritual books or positive podcasts instead of social media. When you train your brain that drama does not have to be part of your everyday life, you experience less stress and more joy.
The summer season is the perfect time to focus on relaxation and inner peace. Try the above five activities to soothe your soul and take advantage of this season of renewal.