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50 Summer Survival Tips

Sunday, July 03, 2011

50 days left until the school year starts.  And for the next 50 days, spa50 is bringing you a tip a day to help you survive what’s left of summer vacation!
 
1)    Take a night walk.  This works solo or with the kiddos.  Just stroll around your neighborhood and take note of who has a great yard, whose needs work.  It’s amazing what great conversation you can have by walking.


2)    Do something today you haven’t done in years.  Prank call one of your friends.  They will totally know who you are (hello, caller ID?) but you’ll probably both get a chuckle out of it.


3)    Buy a new lipstick.  Nothing beats that perfect shade but how do you know it’s going to look stunning on you?  Try a shade that is one - two shades darker than your natural lip color.  Test it on one lip to get an instant shade comparison.

 

4)     Play Punchbug in the car today!  It makes any trip fly by and the kids love it.  You don’t have to exchange punches – the first one to see a VW Beetle and calls it out gets the points.

 

5)    Clean out your media clutter.   Your kids are in middle school so why are you hanging on to that Teletubbies VHS tape? Go through your books, DVDs, CDs, etc.  Keep the ones your want.  Try swapping or selling the rest.

 

6)    Learn to knit.  You need 2 needles, yarn, patience and a how-to video.  Start by making a scarf or a potholder.  You’ll be part of a “close-knit” family.  (I couldn’t resist.)

 

7)    Get a pedicure with a friend.   Nothing says summer like pink polish and 30 minutes to bond with a friend is pure bliss.

 

8)    Eat some berries. Raspberries are in season and are loaded with vitamins, antioxidants and fiber.

 

9)    Sleep in tomorrow. Even if it's only for 9 more "snooze" minutes, you will feel refreshed and ready to tackle the day.

 

10)   Watch the sun set. This doesn't need to be an overnight trip. After dinner, pack up the kids, drive to the beach and watch the sun drop into the Gulf.

 

11)     Start a journal.  Treat yourself to a pretty notebook and pen and get into the habit of writing the events of the day at the end of each day.  This not only helps relieve tension, it can be the basis of powerful memories for the future.

 

12)    Star gaze.  When was the last time you looked for Orion’s Belt or The Big Dipper?  Lie down in the grass and teach your kids a little astronomy.

 

13)   Give someone a genuine compliment today.  Watch their reaction and see how good you feel.

 

14)   Hit the books.  Head to the library and while your kids are looking for books, find yourself a good, light read.

 

15)   U Pick.  Do your kids know that potatoes grow in the dirt?  Can they point out a tomato plant?  Find a You-Pick farm and get sweaty!

 

16)   Play Spatula Ball with the kids.  Ball up scrap paper, grab a laundry basket or box and give each kid a spatula or wooden spoon.  Set a timer for 1 minute and see how many paper balls they can hit into the basket.

 

17)   Put on a mask.  Pamper yourself with an easy DIY treatment to diminish pores and even out skin tone.  Mix a spoonful of honey with an egg white and apply.  Once dry, remove with cold water.

 

18)   Make your bed.  Everything will look neater which can calm your inner being.

 

19)   Play in the rain.  During an afternoon rain shower, minus lightning, take off your shoes and puddle jump.  Invite the kids – your “cool” points will automatically double.

 

20)   Strike a pose.  Today, learn some basic yoga poses and see if you feel relaxed and stretched.  Who knows, you may have found a new hobby.

 

21)   Time in a bottle.  Make your own time capsule.  Fill a shoebox with items around the house that clearly mark your day-to-day life.  Newspaper, pictures, receipts.  When it’s full, tape it up securely and agree on a date as to when it will be opened again – like 10 years or so.

 

22)   Start a puzzle.  This is a great solo or family project.  If you have a table where you can leave it and work on it over time, even better.

 

23)   Go to a free movie.  Check your local theater.  Many offer free weekly movies during the summer.

 

24)   Clean out a closet.  Don’t get overwhelmed – pick one closet and just tackle it.  Pull everything out, box up the stuff you don’t need and organize the rest!  Be careful – this usually leads to an all-out cleaning frenzy.

 

25)   Buy a new magazine today and take time to read it cover to cover. When's the last time you did that?

 

26)   Volunteer.  Do some research and find a local charity where you can volunteer an hour of your time.  Giving back makes you feel great.

 

27)   Buy yourself some flowers today.  This is an instant pick-me-up.

 

28)   Buy a watermelon, head outside with the kids and have a watermelon seed spitting contest!

 

29)   Learn how to juggle.  Yep.  Here’s a video showing you how to do it.  All you need is 3 balls.  Think of what a hit you will be at parties.

 

30)   Hello, neighbors.  Are there neighbors that you don’t know well or new folks in the neighborhood?  Make an effort to introduce yourself.

 

31)   Snap some photos. Take photos of things that interest you - family, nature, objects. Take lots of them. Beautiful images can be the basis of greeting cards.

 

32)   Share your photos. Upload your most interesting photos onto a free Flicker account.

 

33)   Clean up the hood. This is a good way to teach your kids about community pride. Put on gloves and get some garbage bags then walk the neighborhood picking up trash.

 

34)   Film Festival. Invite a few friends over and have each bring a DVD of their choice. Pop some corn, get your Milk Duds and spend a lazy evening watching movies together.

 

35)   Make paper airplanes. Here's a how-to video. Color them, decorate them then go outside and see which one flies the best. The winner gets to choose the dinner menu for the night!

 

36)   Rearrange the furniture in a room today. It's amazing how good this change can be.

 

37)   Build a fort out of blankets. When I was a kid, there was nothing better than my mom bringing out the blankets and letting us cover the kitchen table to make a fort. We'd bring in our pillows and flashlights and spend the whole day reading books and just goofing off.

 

38)   Plan and execute a yard sale. Since you've been cleaning out some clutter, slap a price tag on it, put some signs out in the neighborhood and make some money. Ask some neighbors to ge involved to make it a multi-family sale.

 

39)   Shut it down. Not your computer. YOU. When is the last time you took a nap? Most of us don't get enough sleep, so if you can swing it, get some zzzs.

 

40)  Try the new feather extensions in your hair.  Many salons are offering them in a variety of colors.  Have some fun and try something new!

 

41)  Blow bubbles.  It’s just one of those things that brings a smile to nearly everyone.  Let the kids chase them or better yet, teach them how to blow them so you can sit and watch.

 

42)  Play cards.  With a group of friends or with the kids on a rainy afternoon, this is a great way to pass the time and interact with others!  Kids love hearts, crazy eights, old maid.  And with the grown ups, play rummy, bridge or spades.

 

43)  Meditate.  De-stress and calm yourself with these steps.  The hardest part for me is to keep my mind clear.

 

44)  Go to the playground.  Don’t just watch from the bench – get involved.  Swing on a swing, use the monkey bars and slide down the slide.  You’ll feel like a kid all over again.

 

45)  Take a bath.  Not an in-and-out quickie thing.  I’m talking a long soak with bath salts, music and a candle.  Lock yourself in the bathroom and let your mind and body relax. 

 

46)  Dress rehearsal.  Call a local theater and see if they have any dress rehearsals open to the public.  This is a good way to take in a show and it might even be for free!

 

47)  Tour a brewery!  Ever wonder how beer is brewed and bottled?  You can tour the Yuengling Brewery in Tampa at no charge. 

 

48)  Learn a card trick.  This is a something that can be used over and over and like juggling, you’ll be great at parties!

 

49)  Give a hand.  There’s probably someone you know that has difficulty getting around or could use some help.  Reach out to them and offer to get their groceries or take them shopping.

 

50)  Visit local thrift stores.  This can be a fun trip down memory lane.  Try on a ridiculous outfit for fun!

 

 

 

 

 

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