Stop and Smell the Flowers: 5 Tips for a Mindful Summer

Mindfulness can be defined as an awareness that arises through paying attention non-judgmentally, on purpose, in the present moment. The hot weather is finally here, and the warmer temps provide ample opportunity to nurture a mindful perspective when out and about this summer! 

Take a summer walk 

Try putting your phone away and take a peaceful walk. Check in to your five senses and notice what you see, hear, smell, feel and taste. Tuning into these sensory sensations on a walk can be calming, mindful and grounding. 

Stop and smell the flowers

Literally! Summer is a time when the flowers are in bloom, and luscious colours and scents are a feast for the senses and a great reminder to stop and enjoy the little things. Try to be completely present, and smell a few fresh flowers while you’re on your way to work or running errands. Listen to the birds chirp, and feel the sun warming your skin. Have a picnic and tune into mindful eating and savouring every bite (including summer faves like watermelon and s’mores)! Touch grass – go barefoot in your backyard if you have one. 

Practice your meditation outdoors  

“Mindfulness” and “meditation” often go hand in hand. Try listening to a guided meditation while on a walk or counting your breaths when walking; feel more grounded and connected to your surroundings. Meditation helps pull you into the present moment, cultivate gratitude and ultimately enhances your connections with others and creates a greater sense of ease. 

Create a list of activities you’d like to try this summer 

Summer is a great time to try new activities as the warmer weather allows for a wider range of selections. Have you wanted to try stand-up paddle boarding or take tennis or sailing lessons? Trying novel things will make your summer more memorable, exciting and mindful!  

Be active and get outside

Spending time in nature improves your well-being, and the warmer summer temperatures provide us with ample opportunity to GET OUTSIDE. Whether you are biking, rollerblading, running, kayaking, hiking, watching wildlife or gardening – the range of activities summer affords us helps us to mindfully focus on stimulating activities and time spent outdoors helps to improve our stress, mood and energy levels.

Cultivating mindfulness during the summer season can have benefits on our well-being. By incorporating these five tips into our daily routines, we can enhance our awareness and appreciation of the present moment. So, make sure you make time to stop and smell the flowers this summer.