Do These Fun Summer Activities This Year Before the Break is Over
It’s the end of June - The summer season is in full swing - time to have a little fun.
You’ve worked hard this school year! Learned new things. Reached new goals. Set your kiddos up to move on to their next adventure.
It’s officially here.
The moment for you to relax and enjoy the summer! Before you know it - you’ll be right back at it.
You have a lot of summer fun to make up for. Last summer - quarantine was in full effect. Now with many things opening up - your options are endless.
So let’s dive in and take a look at some activities you can add to your summer fun list!
Fun Things to Do this Summer
Road Trip
Ahhh the open road. Limitless possibilities. Road trips have always been a popular summer vacation activity. Gaining popularity in the 60’s, road trips were - and still are - a great way to see the sights of our amazing country1
Studies have shown that travelling is a great way to break the routines of daily life and can increase satisfaction in your quality of life.2
So get in your car - see some famous landmarks - and bond with family and friends. Some popular road trip adventures include:
- Route 66 - While travelling on Route 66 tapered off in the 40’s and 50’s, this iconic 2,500 mile stretch of road still boasts numerous sights along the trail from Chicago to Los Angeles.
- Blue Ridge Parkway - Connecting the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia and the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina, this 469 mile drive is a sight you don’t want to miss.
- California’s Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) - From Dana Point in Orange County to Leggett in Mendocino County - this 653 miles of breathtaking coastal views will be a memorable one.
- Big Sky Country - Make the drive from Jackson, Wyoming to Glacier Montana and take in some of the most stunning landscape sites in America.
- Overseas Highway - From Miami to Key West you’ll find yourself on a 150-mile drive that crosses 42 bridges. And while this drive will take you about 4 hours - there are many smaller Keyes and sights to stop and see on the way to the Southernmost Point in the United States.
Consider adding of these to your summer road trip bucket list.3
Get Outside
We’ve done a lot of sitting this past school year. Distance learning in front of computers - hybrid teaching with students and computer screens - weekends locked down.
Summer break is the perfect time to be outdoors! The weather is warm - or hot depending where you are - the sun is shining and places are welcoming visitors.
Take advantage and get outdoors. There are so many benefits to being outdoors not only for your physical health - but also your mental health.4 Move your body with fun - active activities.
You could:
- Go on a hike with friends or take a relaxing stroll around a new neighborhood.
- Take a yoga class at the park.
- Ride your bike near the beach.
- Go swimming or find a rental program where you can rent kayaks or paddleboard for the first time.
- Get out on the greens and play some golf.
Try one of these activities or just step outside your house - breathe in the fresh air - and have a picnic in your front lawn.
Catch Up
Let’s face it - during the school year - we tend to focus 100% on work all the time. And extracurricular things that we would like to do - get put on the later list. So what better time than now to catch up on all the things!
Catch up on your reading! Reading is a great way to reduce stress and boost your personal development and growth. It can also help you sleep better!5
Catch up on your journaling! Speaking of personal growth and development - there is great power in writing and journaling. It’s a great tool to help reduce stress - identify triggers in your life - and provide a space for positive self-talk and reflection to flourish.6
Catch up on entertainment! Take out that Netflix list and catch up on the shows and movies you’ve been putting off all year. Is there a show friends and family have been talking about all year that you haven’t seen? Binge watch now! Or go to the movie theatres - they’re finally open!
Catch up with friends! Nothing warms the heart more than a good hang out with your closest friends and confidantes. Friendships boost your happiness and give you a sense of belonging. They celebrate your victories and help you through the challenges.
In fact - studies have shown that older adults with a vibrant social life or more likely to live longer.7 So what are you waiting for - grab your phone and schedule a meet up with your crew!
Catch up on Cleaning! Yes - I know - who wants to spend the summer cleaning? But hear me out. Taking the time to declutter your house and clean up the sections you’ve been putting off can be a very cathartic experience.
Actually studies have shown that cleaning - or a lack of cleaning - can have a direct impact on your mental health.8 Cleaning can improve your mood and help you feel in control of your environment. It helps reduce your anxiety and increases your focus.
So bust into that closet you’ve been putting off. Reorganize your garage. Or dive into the stack of papers in your home office. Whatever needs tidying up - embrace it.
Live It Up
Summer breaks tend to feel like they fly by - don’t they? In the blink of an eye you’ll be right back in the thick of the school year.
Take this much needed break to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Tap into your wanderlust spirit and travel. Connect with friends and family - and catch up!
As educators - however - we can’t help but think about the job and the upcoming year. So take in some summer PD’s to get you ready! Check out the Teach Your Heart Out Virtual Summer Conference.
Resources:
122 vintage photos show Americans embarking on cross-country road trips in the 1960s https://www.insider.com/vintage-photos-cross-country-road-trips-america
2The Benefits of Travel: Family and Relationships Review of Literature https://scholarworks.umass.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1834&context=ttra
321 Most Popular Road Trips in the US https://www.hgtv.com/lifestyle/travel/most-popular-road-trips-in-the-us-pictures
4 Health Benefits of Getting Outside https://www.webmd.com/balance/ss/slideshow-health-benefits-nature
5The Benefits of Reading: How it Can Positively Affect Your Life https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-reading-books
6 Journaling for Mental Health https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentID=4552&ContentTypeID=1
7 Friendships: Enrich your life and improve your health https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/friendships/art-20044860
8The Relationship Between Mental Health and Cleaning https://www.verywellmind.com/how-mental-health-and-cleaning-are-connected-5097496