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June 21st was the longest day
of the year; the summer solstice. I look forward to this day because sunlight is an essential part of maintaining good
health. Although we need to protect our skin from the harmful rays of the sun, the light is healing. Many people,
from many climates, suffer from winter blues. This condition, when serious, is called seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
For those people who suffer from SAD, the summer solstice is the beginning of enjoying long days of daylight. Most of
us don't get enough vitamin D and sunlight provides this for us. Summer
is also a time for vacations and holidays. We also need vacations for good mental health. Think about the vacations
you have taken in the past year or the one you're planning for this summer. Are your vacations over-planned; running
from one place to the next, without any down time? Is this really the way you want to relax? Vacations provide
us time to recharge our batteries. While being active is important, also plan some down time to read, sit and daydream
and be outside in nature. Even day trips can provide a welcome break to our normal routines.
Food preferences often differ for people during the summer. In the
winter, when it's cold, our bodies tell us that we need heavier, more substantial foods like soups, stews, and casseroles.
In the summer, lighter fare is often called for. Fruits are plentiful, farmer's markets are full of wonderful vegetables
to try and having your own garden is one way to help the planet. When my children were young, they delighted in helping
me plant the beans, tomatoes, squash, zucchini, melons and pepper plants. There
is nothing like eating a sun-warned green been, just freshly picked from the vine. Vacations with family can be stressful. It's important to plan activities that each
family member enjoys. It's a great time for teaching kids to compromise and negotiate. Include kids in the initial
planning for vacations. It's not important where you go, what's important is time to be together without the usual,
daily commitments that occur at home. Somehow, most women have a harder time relaxing at home. Perhaps it's the
pictures that are just sitting there waiting to be organized, or the closet that is calling out to be cleaned. Getting
away from the house makes it easier to let go of the myriads of things we "should" do at home. Vacations are also a time for rest. While it's impossible to catch
up on sleep that you miss in your normal schedule, plan a least a few days or nights where you can sleep longer than usual.
Change your routine, slow down, stop to smell the flowers. This is what we truly miss during our busy everyday lives.
Happy Summer.
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