Fun and easy ways to ensure that your summer is enjoyable and helps you feel your best
It's that time of year when you start seeing and hearing about all the vacations your friends are taking this summer. If you aren't traveling this summer, there are still many ways that you can make your life at home feel just as relaxing, exciting, and adventurous.
Here are some ideas to add to your summer bucket list to make your day to day life feel more special.
Grab Fresh Fruits And Vegetables From The Farmer's Market
Many fruits and vegetables aren't in season during the winter months. Take advantage of the summer to try new fruits and veggies, or to use them differently in a recipe. Getting these foods from the Farmer's Market is a great way to ensure freshness of the food, meet new people and socialize, and is an easy way to support your community.
Schedule Time To Relax
Relaxing can mean something different for everyone. For you it could mean sleeping in, reading by the pool, or taking a bath. Whatever it is, find a time, and write it on your calendar... Actually write it on the calendar, or chances are it might not happen. Relaxing is important for your health, and there's no need to feel guilty about it (you probably wouldn't feel guilty about it if you were on vacation).
Indulge In A Fancy Dinner
This could mean getting dressed up and eating at a new restaurant you've been dying to try. It could also mean eating dinner at your own house, lighting some candles, and setting the table with your best plates and napkins (it doesn't have to be Christmas to get out your China).
Reconnect With An Old Friend
Summer is a great time to reconnect with old friends. Go for a walk, or invite them over for a meal. The next time you think about someone, text them and let them know! Having strong social connections is related to health and longevity [1]. Supporting this area of your life is just as important as your diet.
Watch the Sunrise/Sunset
A study at the University of California at Berkley found that connectedness to nature and being attuned to natural beauty can improve one's well-being [2]. Other studies have examined how the emotion of awe can "potentially improve one's mood, enhance positive social behavior, and increase positive emotions" [3]. Awe can be increased by natural beauty, such as watching the sunrise or sunset.
Play A Game
Games are a great way to connect with others and have fun. This could be new or old board games, card games, or some good old kickball.
Take A Class Or Try Something New
Try something new by taking a class you've always wanted to try, for example a workout class. Joining a class is a great way to make new social connections. If a class doesn't appeal to you, try something you've always wanted to try or haven't done in forever. This could be as simple as hiking, riding a bike, or swimming in the pool. You don't have to leave home to do new and exciting things!
Host A Party
There are so many different types of parties you can host. You could host a dinner party, game night, happy hour, barbecue, pool party, and so much more.
Cook A New Recipe
Get creative and challenge yourself in the kitchen. Some ideas are homemade pasta, pizza, bread, donuts, bagels, a decorative cake. You could also make a recipe you love but do it completely from scratch. If it goes terribly, order some pizza.
Make A Summer Playlist
Music can be a powerful way to influence your emotions and mood. It is a way to take you back in time to a place or memory. Most people have experienced this phenomenon firsthand. Studies have actually found how music can trigger the release of dopamine (reward/pleasure hormone) and decrease the release of cortisol (stress hormone) [4]. Music is so powerful that people with dementia, who had previously seemed unable to speak, will sing and dance upon hearing a song they used to love. This is partially due to the areas of the brain that music activates [5]. Think of songs that take you back to a previous summer or happy memories and make a playlist for the summer.
Make Brunch
Make whatever brunch foods you love, and then enjoy them with friends and family either as brunch or for breakfast as dinner. For example, make some pancakes, eggs, and bacon. Or cook something a little fancier, such as quiche or crepes.
Make A List Of Things That Make You Happy
Oftentimes we forget simple things that make us happy or peaceful. Write a list of these things and commit to doing them more. Put it somewhere you will see often. Refer back to it throughout the summer as inspiration or when you need a pick-me-up.
Volunteer
Research has found that volunteering can improve physical and mental health, provide a sense of purpose, teach valuable skills, create new relationships and support existing relationships [6]. Explore ways to support your community that you feel passionate about. Some people may feel called to volunteer in the school system, religious institutions, or environmental organizations.
DON'T COMPARE AND HAVE FUN
If you find yourself scrolling on social media and feeling bad about yourself by the time you finish, try to fill your time with other things. Find new books to read, or do any of the things above to fill your time and live in the present moment. Everyone is different, so there's really no reason to compare! And most of all, remember to enjoy yourself :)
1
Freeman, L. (2017, March 1). Mental fitness: Study shows seniors stay healthier with social connections. Naples daily news. https://www.naplesnews.com/story/news/2017/03/01/mental-fitness-study-shows-seniors-stay-healthier-social-connections/98520962/
2
Zhang, J. W., Howell, R. T., & Iyer, R. (2014). Engagement with natural beauty moderates the positive relation between connectedness with nature and psychological well-being. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 38, 55–63.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2013.12.013
3
Earle, J. (2023, January 20). Here’s why watching beautiful sunrises, sunsets actually improves your health. Study finds. https://studyfinds.org/sunrises-sunsets-well-being/
4
Cimons, M. (2023, February 26). Why music causes memories to flood back. The washington post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/02/26/songs-music-memory-connection/
5
Fabiny, A., (2015, February 14). Music can boost memory and mood. Harvard health publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/music-can-boost-memory-and-mood
6
Mayo clinic health system (2021, September 16). Helping people, changing lives: 3 health benefits of volunteering. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/3-health-benefits-of-volunteering#:~:text=Improves%20physical%20and%20mental%20health,physical%20health%20than%20do%20nonvolunteers
i love your blog because it is always relevant,interestingand often offers a fun idea ro enhance the science behind your writing. Thank you!!!