A Summer of Simplicity

As Canadians, we relish the summer, in part for its bounty of fresh food. Fresh food is rich in nutrients, and encourages us to eat according to the season.

Sourcing

There’s nothing like feeling the sunshine on your shoulders as you tiptoe into the garden to pluck tomatoes and harvest herbs for a salad. Gardening your own plot of land is an empowering way to gain control over your food supply, and also slow down to connect with the earth (more on earthing later!).

If you’re limited for space, you can install a vertical garden on your balcony, or keep potted herbs inside for seasoning your meals.

If getting your hands dirty isn’t your thing, you can still enjoy fresh, local produce by shopping at a farmers’ market or participating in a community supported agriculture (CSA) program, which provides weekly produce baskets from a local farmer for subscribed consumers.

Participating in a CSA has been shown to augment vegetable exposure, preference, and overall consumption.

Savouring

Regardless of where you source your food, the preparation and experience of your meal is just as meaningful.

Working with our hands, like shucking corn or chopping carrots, for instance, has been shown to relieve stress and anxiety. Preparing a meal with family encourages us to savour the food and feel gratitude, which in turn promotes family well-being.

Savouring more than just food (for example, time with your kids or time spent in nature) will reap a greater yield from the summer season: the action of savouring, itself, is associated with stronger relationships and greater life satisfaction.

Nature, nurture

Connect with nature and let it nourish your mind, body, and spirit.

Grounding / earthing

It’s as simple as being barefoot on the sand or grass.

The electrical conduction that occurs when the human body contacts the surface of the earth has inspired research into potential benefits to health. Proponents report that grounding may help improve blood flow, sleep, and energy, while contributing to a greater sense of well-being.

This practice, they say, may also reduce pain, promote wound healing, and prevent and assist in the treatment of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases.

Negative air ions (NAI)

There’s a reason why it feels so good to go to the beach!

NAIs are negatively charged gas ions generated by sunlight and plant-based sources of energy. They’re found at high concentrations in the atmosphere of beaches, waterfalls, and forests. NAIs are believed to improve air quality and are said to benefit health by reducing inflammation and oxidation. Exposure to NAIs is associated with reduced depression.

Breathe in negative air ions while swimming in natural bodies of water this summer. Swimming also happens to be excellent exercise for those with low back pain and arthritis, since it relieves pressure on the joints.

Forest bathing

Enjoy a leisurely walk in the forest or bring a blanket to enjoy a woodsy picnic.

The Japanese practice of visiting the forest and breathing its air (shinrin-yoku) is reported to significantly reduce cortisol levels in the short term and reduce stress. This practice has been shown to lower blood pressure and pulse rate, increase heart rate variability, improve metabolic function, and induce a positive mood.

Sunlight

Embrace a sun-kissed summer.

Sunlight exposure is associated with improved mental health. Exposure to more sunlight hours in the summer also adjusts the human circadian rhythm to solar time, syncing up our sleep-wake cycle with the sun. Natural light exposure during a weekend of camping is sufficient to achieve nearly a 70 percent shift in circadian timing.

We also need enough sun on our skin to produce sufficient vitamin D. Supplementation with vitamin D is often required among those living in northern latitudes.

This article was originally published in the July 2025 issue of alive magazine.