Anytime is a great time to redirect a little focus on resetting and spending time with yourself, but the change of a season just feels like new beginnings. I can tell you, after years of my nose to the grind, this year I am ready to focus on finding my groove and enjoying life a little more. In this post, I am sharing what I am doing to rest life this summer and get more in tuned with the inner me.
Indoor Gardening
Did you know that indoor plants have been proven to positively affect your mood among other things? Here are all the ways that an indoor garden can bring more joy into your life:
- Reducing Stress: Studies have shown that being around plants can reduce stress levels. The act of caring for plants can be calming and therapeutic, helping to lower cortisol levels and promote relaxation
. - Improving Air Quality: Plants can improve indoor air quality by filtering out toxins and releasing oxygen. Better air quality can lead to better overall health and well-being, contributing to a more positive mood.
- Enhancing Concentration and Productivity: The presence of plants in indoor spaces has been linked to improved concentration, increased productivity, and enhanced cognitive function. This can make you feel more accomplished and satisfied.
- Boosting Creativity: The natural elements and green colors of plants can stimulate creativity and inspiration, making them beneficial for workspaces or areas where creative activities take place.
- Connecting with Nature: Having indoor plants can help you feel more connected to nature, which is particularly beneficial if you live in an urban environment. This connection can enhance your mood and overall sense of well-being.
- Providing a Sense of Accomplishment: Successfully growing and maintaining plants can give you a sense of achievement and purpose. This can boost your self-esteem and mood.
- Aesthetic and Environmental Improvement: Plants add beauty and life to indoor spaces, making them more pleasant and inviting. A more attractive environment can improve your mood and make you feel happier at home.
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Overall, the presence of indoor plants can create a more serene, productive, and aesthetically pleasing environment, contributing to better mental health and a more positive mood.
Journaling with Purpose
For those of us who don’t feel like we are the most prolific writers, journaling can sound like a drag, but who says journaling is all about what you write? I have a journal that I not only jot down thoughts, but I cut and paste images that are inspirational, as well as home decor inspiration that I hope to implement in my future “dream home.” While journaling, or more so scrapbooking in my case, is relaxing, the activity offers a range of benefits for mental, emotional, and even physical health. Here are some key advantages:
- Emotional Clarity: Journaling helps to clarify your thoughts and feelings. Writing about your experiences can make your emotions more tangible and easier to understand, which can lead to greater self-awareness.
- Stress Reduction: Expressing your thoughts and worries on paper can be a cathartic experience. It can reduce the intensity of negative emotions and help you process stressful events, thereby lowering stress levels.
- Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills: Writing about problems can help you view them from different perspectives and brainstorm solutions. It encourages a more structured and objective approach to tackling challenges.
- Improved Mood: Regular journaling can lead to an overall improvement in mood. It allows for the expression of gratitude and positive experiences, which can shift focus away from negative thoughts.
- Memory and Comprehension: Writing things down helps solidify memories and enhance comprehension. It can be particularly beneficial for students or professionals who need to remember important information.
- Goal Setting and Achievement: Journaling can be a powerful tool for setting and tracking goals. By regularly writing about your objectives and progress, you can maintain motivation and hold yourself accountable.
- Creativity Boost: Keeping a journal can stimulate creativity. It provides a space for free thought, allowing ideas to flow without judgment. Many writers and artists use journals to capture and develop creative ideas.
- Emotional Release: Journaling provides a safe outlet for expressing difficult emotions. It can help you process grief, anger, or sadness, providing relief and helping to prevent these emotions from becoming overwhelming.
- Health Benefits: Some research suggests that journaling can improve physical health. By reducing stress, it can lower blood pressure, improve immune function, and enhance overall well-being.
- Personal Growth: Reflecting on your experiences and thoughts over time can lead to significant personal growth. Journaling can help you recognize patterns in your behavior and thoughts, identify areas for improvement, and track your progress over time.
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Overall, journaling is a versatile tool that can enhance mental and emotional well-being, foster personal growth, and even contribute to physical health.
Treat Your Skin
While this doesn’t sound like it will do wonders for your life, creating a seasonal routine can actually be therapeutic I wanted to find ways to practice more moments of peace this summer. I have been trying to get into meditation for years now and this summer, I think I may behave discovered a “kill two birds with one stone,” type of situation. Since my skin can always use a treat and I want to make more moments of peaceful silence, I decided to create an at home routine that satisfies both. This summer I plan to practice a weekly skincare meditation routine that will not only nourish my skin, but will also force me to take at least 20 minutes of silence to let the at home mask work its magic while my head gets into a meditative space.
Here is the at home recipe I am committing to this summer To help nourish and moisturize my skin from the summer sun:
- Mash one avocado
- add two tablespoons of plain yogurt
- One tablespoon of olive oil
- One tablespoon of honey
- Mix everything well together
- Apply to the skin for 15 – 20 minutes
- Meditate or relax in a quiet space with inspirational music
- Rinse well, especially around the hairline
Enjoy a summer of refreshed and nourished skin.
These are the three activities I am committing to this summer to spend time with myself so that I can be more refreshed and anew this fall.
What are your summer commitments for renewal? Share them in the comments below.
Please Note: I always strive to provide accurate and helpful information, but just a quick heads-up—I’m a blogger, not a doctor, lawyer, CPA, or any other kind of certified professional. I’m here to share my experiences and insights, but please make sure to use your own judgment and consult the right professionals when needed.
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