Not!
Sorry. It’s summer, and all this quality time with my kids is starting to wear on me. I’m also starting to call people “dude,” and my current favorite curse word is “snap.” (okay, it’s not my MOST favorite curse word, but it doesn’t cause Delaney to say, reprovingly, “MO-OM.” So we’re going with it.) Also, for the record, that was definitely NOT me singing along with the Neil Diamond song on the intercom at the grocery store the other day. It didn’t work anyway–Toby stuck like glue, trying to sneak things into the cart while I warbled.
I digress. I really do have a point. I made up that post title because Lee says people like lists, and I like Lee, so I thought I’d make a nice list to make him happy.
I haven’t talked much on this blog (yet!) about stress reduction, but it matters. You know that old stereotype of the overworked, Type A businessman having a heart attack? Well, yeah. There’s something to it. When you’re stressed, your blood pressure goes up, and your heart has to work harder. Plus your body produces stress hormones, which wreak all kinds of havoc on your body chemistry. Bottom line: you need to not be walking around in a constant state of tension.
Thus, this list.
Perhaps I should revise the title:
5 Things You Should Do This Summer, Because They’re Good For You In More Ways Than One
1) Read a book (it will exercise your brain, but it will also slow you down and force you to relax. And if you pick the right book, it’ll be fun, as well).
2) Walk somewhere, to do something (a walk with a purpose is mentally very different from an exercise walk, even though it has the same physiological benefits. Plus it saves on gas, and is good for the environment. Besides, getting things done on foot always makes me feel slightly smug and superior, which is another potential upside).
3) Go for a swim (water is an amazing soother, and of course, there’s the exercise factor. And if you don’t know how to swim, you should learn. Now.).
4)Eat a fruity popsicle outside in the sun (they’re usually pretty low in calories, the portion size is controlled, and when was the last time you had strawberry juice dripping off your elbow?).
5) Find out what your neighborhood looks like in the dark (the only way to know, for yourself, is to go for an explore after sundown. This is good for the soul. Trust me).
What are you doing to de-stress this summer?
(Many thanks to my niece, Emilia, for generously volunteering to eat a popsicle for this photo. Many people are going above and beyond for the sake of the blog . . .)