As the days get longer, it’s easier and easier to squeeze in extra time outside – more dog walks, biking to the store to pick up the missing ingredient for dinner, visiting friends for back yard hang-outs, skipping rocks, more dog walks, etc. I have been noticing a shift in people’s mood with the uptake in greenery and vitamin D.
- +10 cheeriness
- +5 stopping to admire gardens
- +15 smelling blossoming trees
- +10 walking all over the place
Another thing I have noticed, not only in others but with myself as well, is a tendency to use the overload of activity during summer to distract from the goings-on of the rest of the world. And while we DO need to take mental health breaks, rest, and recharge, we are now seeing our neighbors who we didn’t see all winter, more people stopping to chat in the front yard, and people visiting from around the country. Use this extra time outside to connect with your community.
Seeing more people? Take advantage and build community
Now is a great time to grow our network of real community connections. For some people, it comes naturally; for others, it takes some practice. And there are various levels of effort depending on your comfort level. Here are a few ideas, from small to large:
- Equipment sharing – yard tools, power tools
- Offer to be help neighbors in a pinch (i.e. their car has a flat tire and they need a ride to work)
- Find a local mutual aid organization to donate time or needed items
- Get involved with a cause you care about (from local, national, and international)
