This summer, we’re taking a page out of Ralph Waldo Emerson’s playbook: “Live in the sunshine. Swim in the sea. Drink in the wild air.” Done, done, and done! Here’s 10 more things we’re doing for the ultimate stress-free summer!
1. EAT ALL THE GUACAMOLE
This is so essential, but easier said than done. Guacamole is one of those things that makes life worth living, but avocados sure are temperamental. No sooner do the stars align and fate deals you a ripe avocado does it go brown. Ideas abound on how to keep guacamole fresh for longer — add more lime juice, leave the pit in, press plastic wrap over it (no thanks!). Only one thing actually works: the elixir of life, naturally. Simply pouring a thin layer of water over your guac will keep it fresh and green for days. You’re welcome.
2. GO CAMPING
For the uninitiated, camping may seem like way more trouble than it’s worth. (“Um, why would you willingly give up a hot shower and a warm bed?” . . . is a totally valid question.) Our cofounder Ret, an avid outdoorsman whose greatest joy is sleeping under the stars, explains the joys of roughing it and what you need to get out there.
3. GO WILD HARVESTING
There’s nothing better than spending the day outside and seeing (and using) the fruits of your labor. Opportunities abound, even in the city. FallingFruit.org is a massive, collaborative map of the urban harvest. By uniting the efforts of foragers, freegans, and foresters everywhere, the map already points to over a half million food sources around the world. Our botanist Annie, an avid wild harvester whose never met an edible weed she didn’t like, shares somes tips and advice on striking the right balance between connecting with nature and respecting the natural world.
4. PRACTICE THE WIM HOF METHOD
Our cofounder Ret starts every day with a cold plunge or a cold shower. This simple practice is proven to make you more resilient to stress. Find out more from our pal Scott Carney, who wrote the New York Times bestseller What Doesn’t Kill Us after apprenticing with The Iceman himself.
5. PRACTICE FOREST BATHING
What’s not to love about trees? Trees clean the air we breathe and filter the water we drink. They cool the planet and remove harmful carbon from the atmosphere. They provide us with food, medicine, jobs, and timber to build homes. And they’re scientifically proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and help us reconnect with nature. Find wellness in the woods with the Japanese practice of forest bathing.
6. CATCH THE GREATEST (METEOR) SHOW ON EARTH
Mark your calendar! Grab a front row seat to the greatest show on Earth when the spectacular Perseid meteor shower peaks on August 11th. This is one show you don’t want to miss!
7. SOW MORE SEEDS OF KINDNESS
Practicing kindness is the simplest way to feel connection and relieve stress. Take our 30 day kindness challenge this summer — and reap the proven health benefits!
8. DRINK MELLÖ MOJITO MOCKTAILS
Our favorite summer sundowner won’t leave you anxious and dehydrated like alcohol.
9. JUST DANCE
Our favorite feel-good playlist will have you dancing like you just don’t care.
10. GET ENOUGH SLEEP
We all know we should try to get eight hours of sleep a night. But did you know not all sleep is created equal? There’s some truth to the old adage, every hour of sleep before midnight is worth two after midnight. Problem is, the long days of sunshine in the summer make it challenging to get to sleep early when deep sleep (the type of sleep that helps your body recover mentally) happens. Thanks to Sleep Blend, we get consistently great sleep, even in the summertime!
BONUS!
Follow our single greatest tip for managing stress.
