Jul 20, 2010

Save My Sanity This Summer

My Idaho camping trip was a wonderful way to slip into Summer living.  I've been making an effort to find ways to make the hot weather and busy roads not affect me the way they usually do (meaning - curl up and hide in my home all Summer.)

Some of my Save My Sanity This Summer tips are:

~ eating plenty of fruits and vegetables.  They are at their freshest this time of year, and a trip to the market always yields wonderful finds.  Plus, I feel better after a nice Summer salad, roasted veggies on the BBQ and a dessert of fresh fruit (and whipped cream, of course!)

~ leaving myself an extra 15-20 minutes between appointments or outings.  With the population boom in the Valley each Summer as the tourists roll in, it can get really frustrating trying to get somewhere on the roads, or through all the stores.  Remembering to give myself plenty of time means less road rage and minimal stress when shopping.

~ treating myself.  I bought the bottle of pink champangne.  I also bought the bottle of Mojito mix.  And when I stagger home in the evening, tired and hot - having not run over any bikers on the road, or punched any haute tourist from the big city, I reward myself with a glass of something cold and luscious.  I deserve it.


~ stopping for a breath.  Sometimes you just have to stop what you are doing.  Take a breath.  Find the breeze.  Clear your brain for a moment.  I need these little mini-breaks during the day.  In the middle of work chaos, I can stop and do some breathing exercises.  Craziness on the road?  I pull over at a field or at the lake and just stop for five minutes (see 2nd tip about leaving lots of time to get places!)  Far too hot to breathe?  Find a breeze, or escape to the bathroom and put a cold cloth on your neck.  It's amazing how fitting in a moment or two of rest each day, can get you through even the craziest Summer afternoon.

~ time outside.  Even in the heat, you can find some shade.  There is nothing like being outside in the fresh air.  I sleep better.  I feel better.  And I feel more connected. 


This Summer I'm changing my attitude.  I'm sure some small whisper or whine of complaint may escape my lips on the 100 degree days to come - but I fully intend to make every effort to enjoy this season and not just wish it away like I usually do.


15 comments:

mxtodis123 said...

Some great tips. It's such an awful summer. Most of these I already do, but I will try to incorporate more fruit into my summer diet. Actually I love the summer melons and fruits, but what happens when I buy them, I don't eat them. Go figure.
Mary

brandi said...

~beautiful ways to take a breather...some pink champangne...i'll toast with you!! for us the summer has been so very mild...we are craving warm warm sunny days...its more like early fall here...warm wishes and brightest blessings~

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Brava! Brava!

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

fabulous thoughts and ideas....i'm not especially keen on hot, hot summer either but you ideas are all doable and will I am sure make a different...as they say down under...good on you.

the wild magnolia said...

Wonderful words of encouragement and nurturing in these midsummer days!

Great tips! Good job!

mermaid gallery said...

always good to get some reminders of those simple but so important ways to enjoy summer. Getting outside is the most important...and don't forget daily exercise.....

jaz@octoberfarm said...

the only consolation i see in suffering through this summer is maybe we won't see another one this hot for another hundred years. then none of us will have to worry about it!

Jennifer said...

May I share in your glass of pink champagne?! To changes of attitude! To reinvention! To Summer! To Life!

The Traveler said...

excellent tips! I think I'll have to try the treating myself one. The coming home to something luscious and cold does sound really good.

Little Messy Missy said...

Where did you camp in Idaho? Glad you have fun!! Great tips!

Bogaman said...

Stopping to smell the flowers is something we should all do more often. It helps to put us in a natural state. X.

Allanah said...

I hear you about the tourists! My Valley (The Bow Valley) is very full of them at this time of year...and my town especially! I've turned my errands into a game I like to call "tourist dodging": getting from point A to point B as fast as possible, points docked for bumping into people. Dodge and weave, dodge and weave...do I spy a new Olympic sport? ;)

PS I really enjoy your blog, it's nice to hear from a fellow Canuck!

Anonymous said...

Sage advice little sister! Especially about the touri!!
We get plenty, on bikes, that don't think the road rules apply to them coz they are on "Vacation"
This too will pass, LOL!

HappyCrone said...

I will NOT be anonymous!! Sweety it is HappyCrone here, the one that can't figure out this techy stuff!

Rue said...

Messy Missy - we were North of Coeur d'Alene. Beautiful area!

Allanah - "tourist dodging" - love it!

HC - no worries, Sister - I still get stumped from time to time!