Creating Quiet Time for Yourself This Summer
Summer is full of busy calendars, travel plans, mission trips, family reunions, and constant activity. With the buzz of summer fun, many of us who long for the quiet time of summer past. That is the time to sit on a porch during a summer rain shower, watch fireflies in the evening, or talk with family during a reunion. Carving out quiet time in the summer is about time for reflection. It’s a powerful form of self-care that can bring clarity, rest, and reconnection.
Why Quiet Time Matters
Even just 10 to 20 minutes a day of stillness can reduce stress by having a slower pace. You can support mental clarity by pausing to reflect. Having a moment to sit and think can help improve your emotional well-being by processing complex ideas and incorporating these into your values. With the unpredictability of home and work, a quiet time becomes an anchor to help you stabilize life.
Summer’s Built-in Opportunities for Stillness
Summer’s longer days and slower rhythms create opportunities for moments of rest. You can wake up earlier to sit with your coffee in the yard, or close your eyes in a hammock under the shade of a tree in the afternoon heat. There are natural pauses that are part of Summer. Here are a few ways to create quiet time this summer that blend into your everyday life.
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Set your alarm just 15 minutes earlier to enjoy alone time. Start an early walk, write in your journal, or step outside in the morning air.
- Start the day with a big glass of cold water with lemon, mint, or cucumber. Hydration helps you think clearly.
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Take a morning or evening walk without headphones. Listen to the birds as you walk. Let nature pull you into the sounds of the season.
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Turn off the radio and drive in silence. Allow yourself to think without hearing extra noise.
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Set a family quiet time. With your kids or others during the day, set a visual timer and let everyone know it’s “quiet time”, that is a time for books, puzzles, or naps.
- Give yourself permission for a nap. It will refresh and compose you.
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Create a comfy rest or reading spot inside or out. Take a learning break.
- Go tech-free for an afternoon.
For Busy Brains and ADHD
If you have ADHD, quiet time might not feel comfortable and be easy to avoid. You can use guided meditation or a timer to help you start this new routine for a reset. The rest will help you feel more focused. Embrace the idea that quiet has value for clarity and processing.
You Don’t Have to Earn It
Feel like you have to get enough done to have time to rest? Put away your perfectionism and permit yourself to start this new practice. Your future self will thank you.
Summer is the perfect time to start this new stillness practice. It is a gift to yourself.