Simple Ways to Savor Summer's Little Pleasures
By Sandy Schroeder
I think summer is a signal to all of us to slow down and savor our lives. Most of the year we push ahead to make things happen. But summer can be the reward for our efforts.
Keep your schedule loose as you break out of your daily routines. Poll your family for their choices. Pick a few and enjoy your time together.
Camp out – Go for a weekend or a week. Plan to hike, fish, or spend time on the water, winding up by your campfire every night. Look at the stars and tell stories as you and your family unwind.
Find an outdoor concert – Free concerts in the park are easy to do. Find one near you. Bring a blanket and a basket of food to sit on the grass and enjoy the evening.
Do some summer suppers – Light the grill. Fix summer salads or roasted vegetables and enjoy the evening with friends and family.
Take nature walks – Check your local parks for planned walks, or consider wilderness hikes if your kids are old enough.
Grow a garden – Home grown tomatoes have their own wonderful flavor. Grow the vegetables and flowers you like and help your kids learn about gardening. You can do a small flowerbed patch of leafy lettuce and spinach, or a whole garden of favorite vegetables.
Learn with your kids – Check your community for classes in photography, science, music or sports. Then pick something that fits you and your child.
Travel locally – Or plan a road trip to a national monument or favorite city. When my kids were young, we did a tour of New York City and one of Chicago. It was amazing how much they learned and remembered.
Try biking – I have friends who bike everywhere with their families. They have been doing it for years. Look for bike trails near parks and beaches that are separate from traffic. Then make a day of it.
Reach out to help others – Summer is a great time to get to know your senior neighbors, or help out at a local senior care facility. Kids can help bake cookies and deliver them.
Wherever you go this summer, keep everything low key and relaxed. When you hear everybody giggling, you will know your summer is a success.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.