Savoring Summer

Summer is one of my favorite times of year. It’s a time to relax, rejuvenate, and reconnect with nature. It's a time to slow down, savor the moment, and appreciate the simple things in life.

Having just spent my usual first two weeks of July on Lake Michigan, I’ve been reflecting on how much I value that experience, what makes it so great, and how I can keep that feel-good Michigan feeling all summer long. Highlights of my trip included full days in nature, mindful connections with people I love, eating fresh, local food, and moving my body in ways that feel good to me. And of course, being in and on the lake multiple times a day is magical for me. While none of us can take such moments with us, there are other things we all can do to savor summer.

Value of Nature

There's something about being surrounded by nature that just makes us feel good. Studies have shown that spending time in nature can reduce stress, improve mood, boost creativity, and even improve our physical health.

One study found that people who spent just 20 minutes walking in nature have lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, compared with those who walked in an urban area. Another study found that people who live near green spaces are more likely to report feeling happy and satisfied with their lives.

My ‘be-in-nature-as-much-as-possible’ strategy includes going outside for my usual morning meditation and yoga practices, eating all my meals outdoors, setting up an outdoor workstation, taking mindful breaks with my feet in the grass, and (of course), planning my exercise and weekend times around playing outside.

Value of Mindfulness + Connection

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention to the present moment, without judgment. It's a powerful tool for reducing stress, improving focus, and increasing self-awareness. There are many ways to practice mindfulness. One of the simplest is to focus on your breath or one sense (touch, sight, smell, sound, or taste) at a time.

What I love about mindfulness plus connection, is it helps me treasure the people that I’m with. My July family vacations are typically spent with what I call my ‘intimate family of 23’. The gift of having active 86-year-old parents and an annual time when our whole tribe of extended family comes together isn’t lost on me. Remembering the preciousness of these moments helps me stay centered and present amidst the blend of various personalities, activities, and shared living spaces.

Value of Movement

Movement is essential for physical and mental health. When I don’t have an ample daily dose of movement, I get cranky (just ask my husband or sisters to verify this!) Regular exercise helps us maintain a healthy weight, reduce our risks of injury and chronic diseases, and improve our mood.

Summer is a great time to get moving. There are endless opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities. In Michigan, this includes lake swimming, biking, kayaking, running, walking, playing yard games, and yoga on the beach. At home in West Virginia, I swap my lake swims for the pool and mountain biking for road cycling. If you’re challenged to find ways of moving that feel good to you, listen to the call of summer and try something that you enjoyed doing as a kid. Catching fireflies? Hula hooping? The possibilities are endless!

Value of Eating Local Foods

Eating local, preferably organic, foods is a great way to support both your health and the environment. Organic food is grown without the use of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers, which can harm our health and environment.

Local food is plentiful this time of year and is also fresher and more flavorful than food that has been shipped long distances. I love supporting the cherry, strawberry, and raspberry farmers and economy up north, and our local farmers in West Virginia. Try growing your own, join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) to get your own box of fresh local produce weekly, stop at a roadside stand, or go to a farmers’ market.

Now that I’m home, I’ll hold onto the memories of my summer vacation and bring the gems from my Michigan treasure box into my daily life. As I write, I smile when I see the Petosky stones we’ve gathered over the years, stacked at the edge of our backyard pond. Sometimes, it really is that simple.

Here are a few ideas to help you savor summer and reap all of the benefits that nature, mindfulness + connection, movement, and eating organic local food have to offer:

Hike in the mountains.

Spend a day at the beach, pool, or near a mountain stream.

Bike ride the rail trail.

Take an outdoor yoga class.

Have a picnic in your backyard.

Cook a meal with fresh, local ingredients.

Sit quietly in nature and focus on your breath.

Practice mindful walking, mindful eating, mindful connection.

Pause on your ‘to-do’ list. Those things will still be there in lousy weather.

The possibilities are endless! Savor the summer weather. Your health, happiness, and loved ones will thank you for it.