Summer Mindfulness
By Kaitlyn Ross
Social Worker
Esquimalt MFRC
As Canadians, we are conditioned to anticipate and appreciate the short two months filled with sunshine, beach days, long weekends and outdoor adventures. For Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) families, summer can be a time spent visiting family across the country, supporting family through a deployment or settling into a community after relocating. Regardless of the circumstance, summer often seems to vanish quickly into memories. Mindfulness can be a great tool to stay present and honour the finite time we have to enjoy our summer. This is about being fully present and aware of where we are and what we are doing. It is a great tool to cultivate gratitude and curiosity in our everyday lives.
Here are a few examples of how we can integrate mindfulness into our summer activities.
Spend Quality Time
When spending time with others, whether it be a family vacation or meeting a friend for refreshments on a patio, be present in the moment with the people you are with. Do your best to eliminate distractions and intentionally give the people you are with your full attention.
Soak in the sunshine
Next time you are standing outside in the sun simply pause, take a deep breath and spend a moment or two focusing on the experience. Notice the light, the heat, the cool breeze. Pay attention to how each of these sensations affects your mind and body.
Eat mindfully
Whether you are at a BBQ with friends, enjoying fresh summer berries or out for ice cream, take a moment to notice the color, texture and flavour of your food. Take the time to enjoy every bite. The point is to slow down and stay present with your food, and to not take the food or the experience of eating for granted.
Notice nature
Summer is a great opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities. If you go to the beach, take a moment to notice how the warm sand feels between your toes and the gentle sound of the waves meeting the shore. If you are going for a walk, pay attention to the colour of the trees and the animals and insects you see and hear. Tune into your senses and the experience.