Summer is a season of travel, vacations and outdoor activities that help you reconnect to nature. While it’s important to enjoy all it offers, don’t just push through the season without considering your spiritual practices and well being. Renew and refresh your soul this summer with these ideas that can help you reconnect with yourself, family and friends.
Go Barefoot
Connect to the earth by walking barefoot across the beach or in your garden on fresh grass. Some orthopedic professionals say that walking barefoot improves the strength of the muscles in your feet. It can also help restore your natural gait. Walking barefoot is also thought to help stabilize your circadian rhythm and decrease your stress levels. Take advantage of the summer weather and find a safe place to take off your shoes to ground yourself to Mother Earth.
Play Like a Child
Bring joy to your life by doing something that makes you happy. Enrich your soul by discovering play as an adult. Embrace summer to reconnect with your playful self. Pretend you’re on summer vacation. Build an outdoor fort and spend time reading or coloring. Kick a soccer ball around or play basketball in the driveway. Pack a picnic so no one has to cook. Build a bonfire and make s’mores. Play is a great way to renew your soul.
Tend Your Garden
Gardening is therapeutic and calming. Spending time outdoors is said to make you breathe deeper, increasing oxygen in your bloodstream. Sunlight is good for your vitamin D levels. Gardening can lighten your mood and lower your stress, which can increase your spirituality. Pulling weeds is a physical activity that lets your mind slow down. Even a few pots on your patio can help improve your mood and have fresh herbs or vegetables during the summer growing season.
Enjoy Summer Treats
One of the best things about summer is the fresh garden produce that tastes so good. Slow down and really enjoy summer fruits and vegetables. Mindfulness when eating can help reduce stress and cultivate a healthy connection with food. It’s also a good time to slow down and give your mind a rest. Sit outside with your popsicle or ice cream and enjoy the sun. Mindful eating improves your well-being, so take the time to enjoy the treats of summer.
Explore New Spiritual Practices
Whether you’re on vacation or staying at home, do something different in the summer to increase your spiritual growth. Visit a new church or new museum. Find a painting or piece of artwork that catches your imagination and reflect on it through your spiritual lens. Get outside of your normal routine to explore new practices that let your gifts come through.
Let Your Soul Rest
It’s easy to forget to relax and rest in the summer when you have a busy life. Vacations can often be just another week of fun and enjoyment while you go to the beach or to theme parks. Spiritual practices such as reading outside without your phone, or meditating or praying in nature will ensure you don’t forget to give your mind and body a chance to fully enjoy the summer season.
Live With Intentionality
The long sunny days of summer are the perfect opportunity to explore your spirituality with new routines. The bright sun and heat represent joy and happiness. Don’t forget to take care of your soul through the dog days of summer.