Five Tips to Enjoy the Outdoors this Summer

Dear Deep Soul,

Welcome to Summer! The Summer Solstice occurred June 21st.

Woman enjoying sunset with full moon on the beach July 2023

The Full Super Moon for this month occurs on Monday, July 3rd. The New Moon happens on Monday, July 17th. Take a few moments on these nights to ponder your summer intentions. What would feel really good for you to enjoy, or explore?

The energizing rhythm of summer is calling you. How can you set your intentions to have a special summer that you will savor and deeply enjoy? I am aware that many people have very little time for vacation, while others might have more—so how can you be present in the time you do have?

Melissa Kirsch in the New York Times The Morning from June 17th, 2023 had an interesting take on summer intentions that inspired me to write today. She shared the saying “Enjoy your time” sparked a new way to approach how she looked at life. Enjoy your time could mean, enjoy life based on the time you have left on this planet. And perhaps more importantly, appreciate what you have and connect more powerfully to what is happening around you and inside of you.

So, what will your summer intentions be?
Mine are to be outside and walk, bike, hike and paddle as much as possible with family and friends, and connect with the healing power of nature.

Others I read about made me smile:

Summer of Frosty Fridays—take the kids to a new ice cream shop every friday!
Garden, do crossword puzzles, enjoy the sounds of nature
Vasectomy summer—normalize this conversation with friends and enjoy sex
Growing groceries, getting hands dirty to eat clean
Take charge and do more of what you want, rather than what others want!
Read 6-7 books a month—this woman turns 73 and she will read 73 books this year. How about you?

Woman reading a book on a bench outside July 2023

Okay, so what might your summer intention be now?

Summer is the creative expression of life itself. Everything is growing, absorbing much needed sun and expressing itself through each plant, fruit, seed, leaf, and flower. The power of nature is forever healing to each person. If you wish to de-stress and relax, here are five things you can do to experience greater peace outdoors.

1) Sit next to a body of water. Our blood pressure and heart rate naturally decrease while viewing the ocean, river, pond, lake, or even—water features like fountains and backyard ponds.

2) View a shoreline with water. It can help restore mental health and lower anxiety.

3) Be outside with plants. Plants—whether indoors or outdoors—improve psychological and physiological aspects by supporting enhanced relaxation, stabilizing the prefrontal cortex, and overall decreasing stress levels.

4) Exercise and workout outdoors—strengthen and tone your body while surrounded by nature. Research shows this powerful combination is energizing and powerfully exhilarating. Consider joining me and the Exercise for Health community outdoors: DrKarinLubin.com/exercise-for-health

5) Eat whole nutritious foods and release extra fat while gaining lean muscle to be able to enhance all your outdoor adventures. Join me on July 31st. fasterwaycoach.com/?aid=karinlubin