It is easy to see why so many people consider summer their favorite season. Whether it’s the warm weather or that many schools take a break during this stretch, a love of summertime and the freedom it brings tends to live in every soul. Every season offers lessons to those willing to take a closer look at themselves. Consider these reminders that the summer can bring, and learn how to take advantage of the teachings provided.
Nourish Your Soul
The sun is never as present as it is during the summer. Whether you live in a region that gets so muggy you can’t breathe or an area with a dry heat that sizzles the sidewalk, the impact of the sun is felt everywhere. Though taking proper precautions and wearing sunscreen is a must for one’s health, it is crucial to remember the sun’s rays are responsible for all life on the planet. Being in the sunlight nourishes the body, providing a variety of vital vitamins.
Experts suggest that short bursts of exposure to direct sunlight can give a person enough vitamin D to last an entire day. Since this vitamin aids in everything from mood regulation to calcium absorption, it is important to get all the sun you can. The lesson provided here is to remember to nourish yourself whenever possible. Whether you feed your stomach with a good meal or your head with a challenging book, what you put into your body plays a key part in how you perform in all areas of your life.
Be Active
Winter has a way of getting people to sink into a sedentary lifestyle. When the temperature drops and snow piles are mounting, hibernation can seem like the best way to stay content. The exact opposite is true of the summer. There are few better times of year to be outdoors, taking part in activities that excite you and socializing with the people you care about. From backyard barbecues to pool parties to trips to county fairs, there is a wealth of fun to be had throughout the summer months.
The lesson to be gleaned from this aspect of the season is the balance between extremes. Everything has a place in the natural world. The inactivity of the winter is replaced by the engagement of the summer, each playing an important part in a person’s annual trip around the sun. If you find that you’re struggling to get out of the house when the weather is hot, remind yourself winter will be back before you know it; this can provide all the motivation you need.
Connect With Your Past
In the literary world, summer usually represents youth and innocence. Unlike spring, which typically symbolizes early youth, summer captures the restless and wild energy that exists within young adults heading into the world. Everyone connects with this part of themselves to a degree in the summer. From taking vacations because you went on such trips with your own family as a kid to playing intramural sports on a local league to run around and play again, summer helps people let the child within come out.
Summer teaches adults to connect with their pasts. Remember what it was like to be young, foolish, and unaware of so many of the trappings of the world, and see how it changes your perspective.
Enjoy the Days
The days are much longer during the summer. With more hours of sunlight, there is a natural impulse to accomplish more. From little tasks around the house to big goals you’ve had for years, the summer is the gentle reminder many people need to get up and do something.
The sad truth about summer is it is over before many people realize it has begun. Remember the lessons of the season throughout the year and find a way to appreciate it before it passes you by.