Summer is almost upon us and so it's time you starting thinking about great ways to unwind and re-charge your batteries so that you can feel better and go back to work full of energy and ready for the next challenge. But with so many options available we can be guilty of missing some great opportunities to have a great summer. So, we have come up with, in no particular order, what we feel are our top 10 ways to spend your summer.
1. Go on holiday somewhere hot
Not only will a holiday let you unwind, whether it's lazing by the pool for a week or two or going rock climbing a mountain, but the sun is a great way to lift your mood and your vitamin D levels. So, book today and have something to look forward to over the next few weeks.
2. Watch the Rio 2016 Olympics
Nothing lifts your mood like the men and women of your nation performing well and smashing the team of another nation. So, whether cycling, rowing, sprints, gymnastics, horse riding, swimming or team sports are your thing, you'll be sure to find something to watch during Rio Olympics.
3. Try Something New
There is nothing like trying something new that helps you relax and completely forget about work. And the best thing is, there are literally thousands of ideas to choose from, including golf, team sports, joining a gym, rock climbing, reading a new book, enrolling onto a course, learning a language, learning an instrument, joining a dating web site, making new friends, trying a new restaurant and much much more.
4. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a popular method to live in the moment and thinking about nothing else. Practicing mindfulness also has the ability to enhance your senses by focusing totally on the activity you are doing. From eating a meal and feeling the texture and taste of the food to playing with your children and concentrating on the happiness and emotion you're feeling, mindfulness has the potential to totally transform the way you experience everyday activities and improving your happiness.
5. Laugh
One of my favourite pass times is to visit my local comedy club. Watching people who get paid to make you laugh is an excellent way of passing the time. We all know the benefits of smiling and laughing so a trip with friends to a comedy club will certainly lift your mood and make you completely forget work, unless you're a comedian that is.
6. Go to a Festival
Going to a festival in the summer is often the highlight of people's year. With so many to choose from in the UK and Europe, including V Fest, Ilse of Wight Festival, Glastonbury and Reading Festival to name but a few, going to a festival and dancing like no one is watching is a great way to de-stress and having a great time. Just make sure you always take spare toilet rolls!
7. Catch up with friends
It is easy during periods of long hours at work to postpone meeting up with friends. And before you know it 6 months has past since you last saw them. So make this summer a time to catch up with friends over a meal, a brunch, a glass of wine or a pint and swap stories of what's been happening since the last time you spoke.
8. Do something lastminute.com
Leave the decision making until the last minute often means you can save money on flights, hotel rooms, day trips and holidays. So, keep a date in the back of your minute and then hit the web hard a day or two before your annual leave to fish out the very best holiday bargains possible.
9. Eat alfresco
The warm days of the summer months are perfect times to eat outdoors. From light breakfasts to heavy meaty BBQ's eating outside is one of the real pleasures of warm summer days and nights.
10. Make time for family
Whatever you choose to do this summer, make family your number one priority. Making time for your family can heal old wounds, make someone's year and bring you closer to the one's you love. Visit mum and dad, take the kids for fun days out and really embrace the time you have with the people around you that mean the most.
So from all of us at CourseFeeder.com, have a great summer.
