STRENGTH & FOCUS: 20 ways to enjoy your spring
A few weeks ago, I wrote about spring cleaning and getting rid of the mental and emotional junk cluttering your mind. If you need a refresher, go ahead and revisit those discussions here and here.
For this week’s episode of excellence, I decided to put together a list of 20 ways to enjoy your spring. This is not a definitive list. I didn’t consult anyone or take a survey. These are simply ideas and suggestions to encourage you to escape the glow of computer screens, have some fun, and experience a new day.
Growing up, our family was extremely active in scouting, and before trips, we always received a list of things to bring, so here’s a short list of what to gather up before we get to our activities.
You will need:
- YOU!
- Friends and family
Things to leave home:
- Cell phone
- iPad or tablet
- Laptop
- MP3 player
- Anything with an app
- ’89 Game Boy
Now that we’re clear on the ground rules, here are 20 ways to enjoy your spring:
1. Plan a BBQ. Good food + good people = great times!
2. Attend a bazaar or fair.
3. Roll around in the grass.
4. Go to an amusement park.
5. Hiking. If you’re local to NEPA, the Appalachian Mountains are practically in your backyard, and there are tons of trails. Pack a water bottle, fruit, and trail mix.
6. Practice regular earthing or grounding. If you’re not familiar with this practice, it’s very simple. Take your shoes off and let your feet touch natural ground, essentially grounding yourself to the Earth. For more info and health benefits of earthing, click here.
7. Spend a day at the beach. Feel the sand beneath you. Watch and listen to the crashing waves. Smell the salty air. Eat good boardwalk food.
8. Plan a camping trip. Once again, if you live in NEPA, you are practically surrounded by trees, forests, state parks, and campgrounds.
9. A. Lie in the grass and look up at the clouds.
B. Lie in the grass and look up at the stars.
10. Read a book outside.
11. Mountain biking. Similar to the hiking suggestion, in NEPA, there is an abundance of mountainous and off-road paths to choose from. If you’re not a fan of off-road adventures, then just go for a bike ride.
12. Rafting, kayaking, or canoeing.
13. Attend an outdoor music festival or concert.
14. Break out your bat and mitt, basketball, football, tennis racket, golf clubs, etc.
15. Lawn games. Who doesn’t like lawn games?! Feel free to bring these to the BBQ we mentioned earlier. My favorite games are bocce and ladder toss, but who can forget other classics like lawn darts and horseshoes? Watch out – lawn games are highly competitive!
16. Sit outside and relax. While most of this list is comprised of things to do, you can also choose to relax and not do a single thing.
*Please note that this is only for professionals. Some people may be tempted to keep their phone nearby in order to occupy themselves, but this defeats the purpose entirely. While phones are on the “no-no list,” it is acceptable to keep a cool glass of iced tea or freshly squeezed lemonade nearby.
17. Play that game you used to play as a kid – hide-and-seek, (freeze) tag, TV tag, capture the flag, hopscotch, red rover or forcing the city gates, parachute games, and jump rope are all classic kid games. You might even choose to break out your Skip-It, pogo stick, or reclaim your title as Pogo Ball Master.
Water gun/water balloon fights are highly encouraged, and don’t forget to set up the Slip ‘N Slide or Crocodile Mile.
18. Invite some friends over and sit outside together. This is similar to No. 16, but with a group of people.
19. Splash in puddles.
20. Make a campfire and roast some marshmallows, or go all out and make s’mores. By the way, if you immediately quoted everyone’s favorite scene from “The Sandlot,” you are awesome and will be awarded three high-fives!
I hope you enjoyed this week’s Strength & Focus, but more than that, I hope you take these ideas and suggestions and enjoy your spring. As always, thanks for reading and be excellent!
