Summertime, and the Living is…Stressful??

Wait a minute, that’s not how the song is supposed to go!  Yet, once upon a time, Summer started on Memorial Day, and, ended just after Labor Day.  That provided a lengthy time period for those, “lazy days of summer.”  A summer camp for the kids, and a week vacation provided most of the structure for summer, while, overall, an easy going, summer vibe where picnics, pools, movies, concerts, and parks ruled.  Driving through the neighborhood the other day (the one that it wasn’t raining) I noticed what wasn’t in sight…anywhere;  children playing outside!  So why the change of tune?

We now have year-round school, summer school, camps-camps-and-more camps (how many camps does one need to attend during the summer?)  as well as technology that renders  youth indoors, and adults working remotely (even on “vacation.”).  I will mention, here, that there is not anything wrong with these, and, may certainly be necessary.  But, how much so?

Where is there room for the slower pace, feeling “free,” the more relaxed feel of summer? 

Madras, seersucker, flip flops, swimsuits, ‘white’, sun dresses, the smell of suntan lotion and freshly cut grass, watermelon, 90’s and humidity…do we not think of summer?  It’s not too late…

• Listen to beach music.
• Have your lunch by a lake, stream, or pond, take a book (or a Nook).
• Drive to Wrightsville Beach for the day.
• Drive with windows open.
• Meditate or spend time in contemplative prayer.
• Lay in a hammock.
• Go fishing.
• Take in that picnic, pool,  movie, concert or park.
• Go to a baseball game (even if you don’t like baseball) just to have a summer experience…
• Take a nap in the sunshine, or, the shade.
• Listen to “Summertime“- a MUST.
• Walk in the rain (easy to do this summer).
• Ride a bike, play tennis, play mini-golf.
• Take time and just do nothing outside.
• Grow vegetables/eat fresh summer vegetables/fruits.
• Cook-out with family and friends, dine al fresco.
• Go camping (different than going to camp).
• Think ” water.”
• Go to Dr. Miller’s Lighted Path™ Intuitive Painting Workshop Aug. 9-10.
• Catch fireflies with the kids.
• Drink lemonade.

Challenge yourself  by taking a “freedom-from-technology” day (or weekend); no texts, no smartphone  (nor dumbphone),  no emails, no computers, no (electronic) gaming.  Caution; some withdrawal symptoms may occur, such as tension, irritability, restlessness… and repetition of reaching in your pocket or purse…lol

I’m sure I missed a bunch…what are some things you think of when you think of summer?  Consider these ways to de-stress, rather than distress, your summer….and the living, is easy.