Summer is a time for family vacations, barbecues and evenings spent around the campfire. With most kids only having about four to 12 weeks off for summer vacation though, squeezing all of those activities in can be tricky — especially if you don’t get to take the summer off and have to go to work on the weekdays. If you aren’t careful, it’s easy to take on too much and find yourself feeling more burned out than refreshed.
This year, don’t get so caught up in making plans and trying to create family memories that you forget to simply slow down and enjoy the long, warm days of the season. Making the most of your summer doesn’t have to mean constant adventures, trips to faraway places and hosting parties for family and friends every weekend.
In 2022, vow to take a step back and enjoy a slower pace. Spend some time relaxing instead of jumping from one activity to the next and you may find that summer vacation doesn’t fly by quite as fast. Keep reading to discover a few ways to unwind on those hot summer days.
Table of Contents
Let Your Creative Side Shine with Diamond Art
Summer is an excellent time to pick up new hobbies that let your creativity shine. And since crafting is relaxing, it’s also a great way to slow down. Not sure what to make? Try ordering some beginner diamond art kits. Since painting with diamonds is easy for both kids and adults, it’s a relaxing activity the entire family can enjoy.
What is diamond art, exactly?
Diamond art is one of the hottest trends in the crafting world. Rather than using a brush and paint to create an image, you use an applicator tool and sparkly resin “diamonds” to form a mosaic image.
The best diamond painting kits come with a preprinted canvas showing precisely where to place each diamond, plus all the necessary tools for completing a painting.
This hobby takes just minutes to master, and it’s an excellent way to let your creative side shine — literally! Completed diamond paintings shimmer in the sun and make a unique addition to any home.
Painting with diamonds is also a great way to let go of stress. This hobby offers mental health benefits and many people use it as a form of meditative art.
With designs ranging from summery waterfront porches to fantastically adorable dragons, there is something for everyone. If you and your family haven’t tried diamond painting, check it out. It’s one of the best ways to unwind and enjoy some downtime.
Plan a Stay-Cation
Let’s face it — going on a vacation can be just as stressful as staying home and working (if not more so). This year, instead of using your vacation time to take the family on an action-packed adventure, use it to enjoy some time at home. Take some time off without setting any expectations or making any big plans. Enjoy some leisure activities at home and visit a few interesting local places. Give your body and mind time to rest and recharge rather than filling every second of your time off with activities.
Catch Up on Your Reading List
There’s never a bad time of year to read, but there’s something particularly magical about enjoying a good book outside on a warm summer day. Grab a coffee and a book that’s been in your to-be-read pile for way too long and start your morning reading on your front porch. Or relax on a blanket under a shady tree in the afternoon. Of course, lounging in a hammock while reading is pretty great, too!
When compiling your summer reading list, avoid heavy subjects. Light fiction is so much better when it comes to unwinding. Plus, it offers a range of mental health benefits. From easing stress to helping you get a better night’s sleep, there are many great reasons to unwind with a good book.
Unplug from Technology
We’ve all become far too attached to our smartphones, tablets, gaming devices, televisions, etc. It seems like we are constantly staring at screens, and too much screen time isn’t good for anyone. You may already plan to limit your kids’ screen time this summer, but consider limiting your own, as well.
Instead of streaming movies, watching television or scrolling through social media when you have downtime, pull the plug on technology for a while. Play a board game with your kids or go outside and shoot some hoops. Flip through magazines. Go for a walk. There are all sorts of things you and your family can do to pass the time without technology.
Plant a Garden
Indulging in fresh produce is one of the best parts of summer for many people. Instead of buying all of those delicious goodies from a local farmers market, though, plant your own garden. Gardening is both relaxing and rewarding, and it’s something nearly anyone can do. Even if you don’t have the space or time to plant a traditional vegetable garden, you can grow food on your patio or even inside your home.
Gardening is relaxing, and it’s good for the entire family. It eases stress and adds to your overall happiness. Plus, growing your own food is a valuable life skill that can help you and your family to eat healthier.
Make Time for Yourself
Make sure you don’t spend the entire summer making plans to keep the rest of your family happy and busy without carving out some time for yourself. Something as simple as waking up 15 minutes earlier so you can enjoy your coffee on the deck before the rest of your family wakes up can make a huge difference.
Conclusion
From painting with diamonds to gardening, there are many ways to unwind during the summer. This year, skip some of the hectic events and enjoy a slower pace. Even if you have to work, taking time to relax will help you get through the summer feeling refreshed rather than frazzled.
Read more Tips, Tricks, and Reviews on TheWiseMum.com
