Editors Note:  We are in such an over-stimulated society right now that the simple thought of relaxing seems like a forbidden word.  Do you even remember how to truly relax?  Put your skills to the test and do something that has you feeling blissful this summer, not just for one day, but for months.  ~Nitika~

Lazy Sundays, summer Fridays and a whole lot of color, summer is here! The mere mention of the sunny season gives us permission to do that which we rarely do all year long – relax.  It’s one of the only times of the year that we begin to allow ourselves to just be.  To take a time out.  To slow down. The result – more smiling. Energy is calmer and people seem happier.  We can attribute some of this to the additional doses of vitamin D.

However, it’s so much more than just the temperature. Summer is a state of mind.

The essence of summer is fun. Work takes a back seat to week long vacations and shorter hours on Fridays.  Chores get bumped down on our “To Do” list as walks outside and  time spent at the beach quickly become number one.   Family and friends, picnics and parties are more of a priority.  Physical activity often increases, as well as time spent out in nature.

The season allows for us to do that which we desire without judgment.  For example, a day spent laying in the sun at the beach is much more acceptable then laying around the house all day in the cold month of December.  We grant ourselves permission in the summer to be more at ease in our lives.  For three months out of the year, life tends to be just a little bit easier, and lets face it, more enjoyable.

A summer state of mind is an ideal we can begin to cultivate during these hot months to carry with us throughout the colder parts of the year.  For more warmth all year long, begin to take notice of how the heat changes the way we spend the hours of our days.

Here’s How :

1) Pay attention.  Take notice of your time, and the way you spend it.  Every week, review how much time you spent doing that which you enjoy.  Look at the ratio of work to play.  Whether its 50/50 or 70/30, make notice of an equation that feels right for you.  When the winter months get colder, the activities themselves may change, but the time spent doing something you enjoy doesn’t have to.

2) Externals.  What external factors are you adding or eliminating in your life from June through August.  Are you spending more or less time with your family?  Driving more?  Cooking less?  We tend to treat the warm summer days as more precious then others.  Therefore, we value our time differently and priorities shift.  Be aware of the shift and how it feels.  If more time with friends makes you happy there is no reason not to spend just as much in January as you do in July.

3) Feeling.  More than the sand on our toes and the sun on our skin, we feel happy.  Beyond the physical sensations of summer, it is the happiness that we associate with the season that we love the most.  Good news is happiness is a feeling we can acquire all year long.  And, the more you focus on it the more room you allow for it to show up in all areas, at all times, all year round.

Enjoy the months ahead, bask in every moment and make sure to wear sunscreen!