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5 Tips For A More Mindful Summer
With summer in full swing, we’re excited to make the most of the extra hours of sunshine. But before we dive head-first into our plans, we’re taking a pause. Why? Because by simply being present, we open ourselves up to discovery.
We sat down with Meghan Gabriel, co-founder of the Portland mindfulness collective, We Myndful, to get the scoop on how to make that happen. Meghan has completed trainings in Kundalini and Hatha Yoga, is a Gaia Project for Women’s Leadership certified coach, and can often be found taking class at any of our Portland studios. Below, she shares how to build these pauses into your routine and what happens when you let go of your summer to-do list.
GET OUTSIDE (IN ANY WAY YOU CAN)
Getting outside and connecting to nature is one of the best things you can do for yourself. With technology today, the seasons have less influence over how we spend our time. We’re not in-tune with the sunlight or natural temperatures, opting for artificial lighting and AC instead.
Spending time in nature helps you connect with the seasonal rhythms. While this can look like an epic, multi-day backpacking trip, I’ve found it’s more helpful, and more effective, to make it a simple practice that you can do each day.
Waking up with the sunrise gives your body the chance to respond to natural light. An easy way to make the most of the early-morning light, and to get some movement in first thing, is to put your sneakers by your bed at night. It’s a simple reminder to get outside when you wake up. Maybe it’s a 45-minute stroll or just a walk around the block. Either way, you’re getting out of bed, getting some fresh air, and starting your day in the sunshine.
Throughout the rest of your day, look for the little opportunities to connect with nature. Maybe it’s making tea and stepping out onto the porch, or, if you live in an apartment, opening the window and soaking up the sunlight. I’ve been trying to take my lunch outside and enjoy it in the sun. Even if it’s just for 15 minutes, every bit counts.
SWITCH UP HOW YOU WORKOUT
During other parts of the year, my workout routine is mostly indoor classes that are built around a tighter schedule. But with travel and summer plans, my days have been more erratic, and I can’t always get in my barre3 morning class.
This summer, I’m trying to be more flexible. Instead of driving somewhere, I bike or walk. Or, if I can’t make it to the studio for that 60-minute class, I’ll do a 20-minute barre3 Online workout in the morning or a 10-minute video at night. These options give me the same movement I’m looking for, but work with the unpredictability of a summer schedule.
SET YOUR INTENTION
When you set your summer intention, you’re laying the groundwork for the second half of the year. This summer, I’m focusing on enjoying the present moment. To make that happen, I need to listen to myself more and trust my energy. The summer in Portland is amazing, and there can be this immense pressure to make the most of the nice weather. But by honoring each moment, I can accept the time that I spend inside doing work. This helps me realize that it’s okay to not always be in the sun. It’s not about checking off the boxes. It’s about being in the moment, no matter what that moment is.
LET GO OF EXPECTATIONS
Setting an intention can come with a lot of baggage: Maybe you’re hoping to finish a project that didn’t materialize last year, or maybe you’re comparing your own progress to a friend’s or someone on social media.
When you set your intention, or even just make plans for how you’ll spend your day, remember the idea of non-attachment. Non-attachment is an important tool in meditation, and it doesn’t mean that you can’t look forward to something. The key is that you’re not giving all your focus to the outcome or judging yourself by how much you accomplish. You can still look to the future, but don’t let it draw you from the present. If you spend all of your time planning for what might happen, you lose the moment in front of you.
Start practicing non-attachment with the areas of your life you want to focus on and cultivate. Maybe your intention is to grow your first garden. You can visualize and look forward to that outcome, but every time you go out to the garden, notice the tiny tomato sprouts emerging from the soil or the first nasturtium beginning to flower. Extending gratitude to these seemingly small details shows how they all play a part in the process of working toward your final goal.
APPROACH EACH DAY WITH CURIOSITY
When you let go of expectations, you give yourself more space to explore and time to be curious. You can make this happen by checking in with yourself. I set an alarm for a few times each day when I ask myself the following questions:
- Do I want to be doing this?
- Is this something I feel like I should be doing?
- Is this something others expect me to be doing?
When you reflect upon these questions, you can clear away the noise (whether it comes from others, your environment, or social media) that’s trying to pull you from what you really need. Some days, even if the weather is beautiful and everyone wants to go swimming, I may feel like laying inside and pulling out a book, or going to a movie theater and resetting my energy. Once you honor where you’re at, you can get to the core of what you really want, in this season, on that day, and in every moment.
Ready to practice more mindfulness this summer? Join us for #barre3anywhere—a free 28-day program with 10- to 30-minute workouts, support in setting your intention, and more. Sign up today!
With summer in full swing, we’re excited to make the most of the extra hours of sunshine. But before we dive head-first into our plans, we’re taking a pause. Why? Because by simply being present, we open ourselves up to discovery.
We sat down with Meghan Gabriel, co-founder of the Portland mindfulness collective, We Myndful, to get the scoop on how to make that happen. Meghan has completed trainings in Kundalini and Hatha Yoga, is a Gaia Project for Women’s Leadership certified coach, and can often be found taking class at any of our Portland studios. Below, she shares how to build these pauses into your routine and what happens when you let go of your summer to-do list.
GET OUTSIDE (IN ANY WAY YOU CAN)
Getting outside and connecting to nature is one of the best things you can do for yourself. With technology today, the seasons have less influence over how we spend our time. We’re not in-tune with the sunlight or natural temperatures, opting for artificial lighting and AC instead.
Spending time in nature helps you connect with the seasonal rhythms. While this can look like an epic, multi-day backpacking trip, I’ve found it’s more helpful, and more effective, to make it a simple practice that you can do each day.
Waking up with the sunrise gives your body the chance to respond to natural light. An easy way to make the most of the early-morning light, and to get some movement in first thing, is to put your sneakers by your bed at night. It’s a simple reminder to get outside when you wake up. Maybe it’s a 45-minute stroll or just a walk around the block. Either way, you’re getting out of bed, getting some fresh air, and starting your day in the sunshine.
Throughout the rest of your day, look for the little opportunities to connect with nature. Maybe it’s making tea and stepping out onto the porch, or, if you live in an apartment, opening the window and soaking up the sunlight. I’ve been trying to take my lunch outside and enjoy it in the sun. Even if it’s just for 15 minutes, every bit counts.
SWITCH UP HOW YOU WORKOUT
During other parts of the year, my workout routine is mostly indoor classes that are built around a tighter schedule. But with travel and summer plans, my days have been more erratic, and I can’t always get in my barre3 morning class.
This summer, I’m trying to be more flexible. Instead of driving somewhere, I bike or walk. Or, if I can’t make it to the studio for that 60-minute class, I’ll do a 20-minute barre3 Online workout in the morning or a 10-minute video at night. These options give me the same movement I’m looking for, but work with the unpredictability of a summer schedule.
SET YOUR INTENTION
When you set your summer intention, you’re laying the groundwork for the second half of the year. This summer, I’m focusing on enjoying the present moment. To make that happen, I need to listen to myself more and trust my energy. The summer in Portland is amazing, and there can be this immense pressure to make the most of the nice weather. But by honoring each moment, I can accept the time that I spend inside doing work. This helps me realize that it’s okay to not always be in the sun. It’s not about checking off the boxes. It’s about being in the moment, no matter what that moment is.
LET GO OF EXPECTATIONS
Setting an intention can come with a lot of baggage: Maybe you’re hoping to finish a project that didn’t materialize last year, or maybe you’re comparing your own progress to a friend’s or someone on social media.
When you set your intention, or even just make plans for how you’ll spend your day, remember the idea of non-attachment. Non-attachment is an important tool in meditation, and it doesn’t mean that you can’t look forward to something. The key is that you’re not giving all your focus to the outcome or judging yourself by how much you accomplish. You can still look to the future, but don’t let it draw you from the present. If you spend all of your time planning for what might happen, you lose the moment in front of you.
Start practicing non-attachment with the areas of your life you want to focus on and cultivate. Maybe your intention is to grow your first garden. You can visualize and look forward to that outcome, but every time you go out to the garden, notice the tiny tomato sprouts emerging from the soil or the first nasturtium beginning to flower. Extending gratitude to these seemingly small details shows how they all play a part in the process of working toward your final goal.
APPROACH EACH DAY WITH CURIOSITY
When you let go of expectations, you give yourself more space to explore and time to be curious. You can make this happen by checking in with yourself. I set an alarm for a few times each day when I ask myself the following questions:
- Do I want to be doing this?
- Is this something I feel like I should be doing?
- Is this something others expect me to be doing?
When you reflect upon these questions, you can clear away the noise (whether it comes from others, your environment, or social media) that’s trying to pull you from what you really need. Some days, even if the weather is beautiful and everyone wants to go swimming, I may feel like laying inside and pulling out a book, or going to a movie theater and resetting my energy. Once you honor where you’re at, you can get to the core of what you really want, in this season, on that day, and in every moment.
Ready to practice more mindfulness this summer? Join us for #barre3anywhere—a free 28-day program with 10- to 30-minute workouts, support in setting your intention, and more. Sign up today!
