6 Ways to Renew Yourself This Summerl Setting Goals For the Summer l How to Change Your Life

To put it in perspective, what would you do if this was your last summer on earth? Would you learn how to dance, spend more time with the kids, maybe not stress so much at work or even take a needed break? As adults, we need to give ourselves permission to have fun like the kids do. According to the Chase Freedom Unlimited Card survey of more than 1,000 American adults, 97 percent believe that they are not having enough fun. "Some 65 percent of Americans say they have fun less than half of the day and 58 percent think they are limited in their ability to have fun," reported glamour.com. Stanford University expert on the science of happiness, health and success explained we need to inject the small moments of fun into our lives so we can get on the happiness train. “If we focus on boosting fun and happiness in our lives, even in little ways, research suggests we can end up more productive, charismatic, energetic and innovative,” said Dr. Emma Seppala, who conducted the survey. Here are 6 ways to renew yourself this summer.

Slow Down

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"Rest is not idleness and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time," author Sir John Lubbock said. We know that time is a valuable resource and many of us feel guilty when we don't use it wisely. This is especially true when our calendars are jammed packed. Rest is not celebrated in the America and is often considered to be idleness or linked to being lazy. When we don’t leave ourselves much time for rest, we will not be as productive. Schedule a time to give your soul and your mind a break. Being too consumed by doing too much puts you into autopilot mode. Even if it is only 20 minutes a day, it is worth it. Like Lubbock believed, rest is not an act of useless. Go ahead and watch the clouds, hear the rush of the water or lie in the grass this summer.

Drop Negative Emotions

We have over 3,000 thoughts per hour and we bet they are not all uplifting. When they are not, they can rule our lives through our sometimes scattered emotions. Set a goal this summer that you are not going to allow your emotions to steal your happiness. The way you can begin this is to reshift your focus onto something else. Let's say you missed reaching a goal. Instead of focusing on the disappointment, shift your thoughts to tackle it from a modified approach. Additionally, writing your emotions down can be cleansing. This is a marvelous way to discharge and to let go of tautness and tension. If you really need to step away from the situation, start a breathing regimen to help tackle turbulent emotions. "Continue to breathe deeply for 5 minutes, feeling as your muscles tense and your heart rate returns to normal. As you become calmer, affirm to yourself that this is only temporary," the Huffington Post reported.

Take a Vacation

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If you need another excuse to renew yourself, look no further than your physical health! Taking a vacation or taking a mini-break helps lower your blood pressure, heart rate and it can reduce the stress hormones such as cortisol, which influences, regulates or modulates many of the changes that occur in the body. The hormone may increase the risk of heart disease and make you gain weight. Traveling is therapeutic and can help with getting out of your rut as well. It can lead to happiness and gives a sense of accomplishment as well. The Huffington Post explained: “There comes a time when everyone must deal with an unexpected situation when they’re on the road. Even if you plan your trip to the letter, things can take a surprise turn. Whatever happens, there is a way around the problem and knowing that you can deal with these situations is a big boost to self-confidence and therefore your happiness."

Find Hope Again

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When was the last time that you experienced hope? People need hope to keep them going. If something is not working anymore, just move on if you are banging your head against a wall. We need to hope as a people to carry on. The summer season is the best way to start over again. Many times prayers often seem to go unanswered and the resulting wait can really sap you of any hope for the future. Proverbs 3:5-6 revealed that we must "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." We have heard that all things work together for our good, but that can be difficult to remember when going through life’s trials. If there is a book you want to write, a class you want to take or a hobby that you've put off for years, set aside the excuses and go for it. This will reignite your hope again.

Get Positive

"Give me some positive vibes," you might be thinking. Well, if you want another person to do this, you could be waiting a long time! Keep a box or book of affirmations nearby when the "this sucks" hit. We have to be our biggest fans as we can’t depend on people to give us a needed fix. Make a list of what you perceive are your negative qualities. This can be criticisms that you received when you were young or an off-handed remark that really hurt you. As you go down the list counteract these with a positive affirmation. "Speak the affirmation out loud for about five minutes in the morning, mid-day and evening," Psychology Today offered. "An ideal time to do this is when you're putting your makeup or shaving so that you can look at yourself in the mirror as you repeat the positive statement." Say affirmations loud and in a clear voice for at least 30 days to create a new habit.

Embrace Nature

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If you want to calm down and see great beauty, go to nature. Observing nature can restore mental energy, lower the level of stress-related hormones in the blood and help your mood. By doing this, you can also find a stillness that we loose during our day. By tuning into the tranquillity of the lake or the soft breeze, the mind can find a place of quietness. Go to the beach, sit still with a cup of coffee in your backyard and inhale the fresh air. Once the mind reaches this stillness, the rest of the body follows. Nature allows you to live in the moment and the summer is the best way to tap into this power. In the craziness of life, we often overlook the beauty that is in our everyday.