Being physically active in the summer and actually doing something instead of simply lying on the beach isn’t something lots of people do. If you aren’t like everyone else, you know that certain summer activities can help you become calm, cool, peaceful and stress-free, and if you repeat them often enough, you’ll adopt a completely new peace of mind. Therefore, here are five summer activities that are perfect for people trying to improve their mental health.
1. Outdoors meditation and yoga
These are two of the oldest ways to reach mental stability, but that doesn’t mean they’re inefficient or outdated. On the contrary, meditation and yoga are still among the most efficient methods you could use, especially if you’re under a ton of stress and trying to leave it behind. What’s even better is practicing these in the open, surrounded by nature and listening to the soothing sounds of trees and birds. Some of the benefits of practicing yoga outside include heightening your awareness, building your confidence and taking your results to a whole new level. So, think about these options and start practicing them.
2. Fishing trip
One of the roughest and toughest men of this generation, Ernest Hemingway, claimed he felt amazingly calm while fishing and taking a road trip to his favorite rivers. This is a statement everyone can relate to, whether they’re a fan of fishing or not, and you too can find your peace of mind on the water. The calmness of this activity is what draws so many people to it, and it’s not just the older generation, but the young people as well. Also, fishing isn’t strictly an activity for men anymore, and you can find lots of women trying to catch a trout too, so think about fishing and try it out as soon as you can.
3. Extreme sports
This is probably as far away from fishing as you can get, but sometimes opposites attract and you can find a common ground between these two summer activities – both are sure to preserve your mental health and help you stay positive all summer long. There are lots of extreme sports you can enjoy, from bungee jumping and rock climbing to kite surfing and bike riding. Of course, you can’t do these without proper equipment, especially the latter, which is why lots of people are getting interested in reliable dirt bike accessories that can turn their ride into something extra special. In the end, don’t forget to take these things one step at a time and always consult with a professional first, just in case something goes wrong.
4. Any other sports
Summer is perfect for hanging out with your friends and staying active, so combine these two and spend some quality time with them by enjoying sports. It doesn’t even matter if it’s basketball, football, soccer or softball – all these summer activities will make you physically strong, mentally stable and help you reconnect with your friends. As we get older, we tend to lose touch with our childhood friends, so dedicating a couple of hours a week to playing sports with them is going to make you feel like a kid again, boost your mental health and help you overcome any summertime sadness you may have.
5. Avoid cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol
Summertime is all about partying and enjoying life, but things can get too far faster than you know. Having a few drinks every now and then is all right, but only if you know when to stop. Unless you do that, you could get into serious trouble and ruin not only your summer but your future as well. So, whether you’re feeling down or just want to join your friends, try to avoid cigarettes, drugs, and alcohol in the summer. People think that these substances will make them feel better, but the truth is that alcohol, for instance, has a negative effect on your mental health and can even boost your depression and anxiety, and that’s not something you need.
Having a great summer is easier than you think, and all you have to do is take it easy, try to relax, spend time with the people you like and enjoy these summer activities that make you happy – it’s as simple as that!
Peter is a health and lifestyle writer. Follow Peter on Twitter for more tips.
