A Little Bit Summer
Summer is in full swing. I know, because here in western Massachusetts, after 12 straight weekends of rain starting in May, (and too many days with temps in the 50’s) we’re having a blistering heat wave. And humans, there is nothing to do except roll with it. Maybe you know it’s summer because your finding yourself having to roll with it, too. Maybe your kids are out of school, or you are off from teaching, or weekend traffic is maddening. Maybe you know because your garden is thriving and every night you can smell the smoky scent of someone’s grill. Maybe it’s yours. However summer arrives for you, there is one thing we all have in common—it’s supposed to be a season to slow down, shift gears, and expend energy in a different way.
That can be a challenge. For many reasons. One of the biggest is that work life for many, and productivity therein, remains the same. Expectations don’t shift. Family meals have to happen, kids need to be occupied with some kind of structure and it can actually feel busier and more draining than those images of family beach vacations (adults lounging while self-occupied kiddos play nice) running through your Instagram feed.
Here are some things that might help you make just a little bit of space to slow things down—and no one even has to know. As you might guess, they begin in mindfulness. Choose just one. Yes, just one. This isn’t a to-do list. It’s a little bit mindful self-care you can offer to yourself:
Start YOUR day with 5 simple breaths (see below for detail) as soon as you wake up, before your feet hit the floor.
At breakfast, tell whoever else is with you—family, kids, partner, your dog, your self—that your summer goal is to take 3 breaths before every meal. Invite others to do this with you. Don’t force anyone, just lead by example. Notice what happens around you.
Take a 5 minute walk outside with the intention to notice one thing you hadn’t noticed before.
Go swimming or run through a sprinkler.
Recall your favorite frozen treat when you were a child. Can you recreate or buy yourself that treat.
Drink your morning coffee (or beverage of choice) outside. (An outdoor cafe’ counts. So does sitting on your balcony, deck, park bench, or neighborhood swing.) Pay attention to what your beverage smells like, tastes like, feels like.
Get a journal or use the plain side of recycled paper and spend 2 minutes making a list of everything you can think of about summer that makes you smile (past or present).
If you have a regular yoga or other work out class you attend, or regular hike or walk you take, the next time you go can you expend half the energy to accomplish completing the routine? Notice what that is like for you.
Make a drawing with sidewalk chalk. If you don’t have access to a sidewalk, use chalk on paper.
When you notice a feeling, any feeling, can you pause, notice the feeling/body sensation, avoid judging it, take one simple breath, notice again. No need to change anything.
If you would like to embrace summer by expending a little less energy while having a little more fun, try something small and enjoyable on purpose. Notice without judgment. Enough can be less than you might believe.
Breathe in your summer. You are doing enough, Elizabeth
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This Week in Breathe Move Journal
Breathe
Simple Breath:
Breathe in through your nose slowly.
Breathe out through your nose slowly
Repeat 3-5 times or more.
You can use this breath anytime and anywhere in your day. Try this breath with your classroom and/or family at the start of the day. Remind everyone to use this breath anytime they want to manage a feeling, challenge or embrace something enjoyable.