Fun Things To Do

5 Sweet and Simple Things We Can Still Look Forward to This Summer

posted on June 30, 2020 | by Alyssa Abel

With many states still under stay-at-home orders, the prospect of a fun and free summer may feel a little out of reach. However, there are many ways to enjoy this season in quarantine. You can even use the extra time you have to grow and develop in new ways by engaging in healthy practices and activities you’ve never thought to try until now. 

Reconnecting with your passions, finding new hobbies, and taking the time to practice self-care can make it easy and exciting to enjoy your summer while social distancing. When doing your part for the world means you’re also focusing on you, summertime can feel as fulfilling as ever. 

There are many things you can do that will bring joy and entertainment. Here’s how to enjoy summer while social distancing.

1. Explore Nature

One of the best things you can do is get outside. Exploring nature is one of the safest and healthiest ways to spend time out of the house. If you live near hiking trails, beaches, lakes or forests, use them to your advantage. If there’s a place you’ve been itching to adventure to, now is the perfect time for a road trip.

Activities like hiking, camping, and swimming can all be done at a safe social distance. Even a simple walk can make a big difference to your mental and physical health by releasing endorphins that boost your mood. Be sure to get out there and soak in the vitamin D.

2. Get Your Hands Dirty

If you’ve been putting off that outdoor project for way too long, now is the perfect time to get it started. Landscaping, gardening and other home improvement projects are all great ways to spend time this summer. You can plant a vegetable garden or redecorate your outdoor entertaining space. Digging your hands into the earth is rewarding and fun, and there are so many projects at your disposal. 

3. Break Out Your Wheels

Whether your favorite mode of transportation is biking, skateboarding, or lacing up those roller skates, summer is the perfect time to get back in the habit of cruising around on your favorite wheels. It’s free, active, and gets you in the youthful summer headspace. You can choose to ride around for fun and recreation, or you can set goals for yourself around your hobbies, like learning skate tricks or biking a certain distance each week.

4. Take a Mindful Hour

Practicing mindfulness is a beneficial habit for everyday life in general, but the extra time in quarantine can open up a new opportunity to focus on it. Setting aside an hour or so each day to devote your time to healthy, uplifting habits can improve your mood and your health consistently. You can try journaling, meditation, yoga, or even just taking a walk to engage in mindfulness every day.

5. Crack Open a Book

If you’re the kind of person who buys books that can sometimes stack up quicker than you read them, this summer is an open invitation to catch up on reading. Setting aside even a few minutes each day to read goes a long way, especially when you become invested in a good book and don’t want to put it down. You can even set the mood by grabbing a picnic blanket and a cold drink and relaxing in the sun. 

Before you know it, you’ll have read a stack by the time summer ends.

How to Enjoy Summer in Quarantine

Spending the summer in quarantine might not be exactly what you expected, but there are so many opportunities to make it fun and productive. Social distancing offers you the chance to get back to your roots by moving your body, getting outside, and consciously choosing to spend time on things that make you happy. Maybe you’ll rediscover a love for an old hobby, or find a new passion that lasts a lifetime.