Can you tell I've been thinking a lot about summer lately? Maybe it's the spurt of incredibly hot and humid weather we had this week.

One of the things that I love about summer is that it seems to move at a slower pace. After all, heat and humidity encourage you to stroll, unlike the biting cold and wind of winter. Kids are out of school and many outside activities move to a more casual schedule. Vacations and weekends away are more common. Even cooking seems simpler – more focused on grilling and simple salads.

Now, that doesn't mean that summers are totally laid back. After all, when people at work go on vacation, someone has to pick up the slack. There is yard work to be done. And some hobbies and activities (e.g., gardening, baseball, tennis, swimming) get super busy this time of year.

If possible, this year give yourself permission to take it easier during the summer:

• Plan meals in advance so that you can prepare simple meals with minimal fuss. For example, if you are grilling pork chops tonight, toss on some veggies and a few chicken breasts as well. They can be the base for future meals with very little additional work.
• Don't overschedule your leisure. If you are out of town or running around every weekend, when will you have time to enjoy?
• Do make sure to pick out 2 or 3 things you want to do this summer and put it on the calendar. Otherwise, you'll find yourself facing Labor day and wondering where the summer went.
• Give yourself a break. Get the rest you know you need. Enjoy the great outdoors. Eat fresh and healthy foods (plus some yummy ice cream). Focus on today, not tomorrow.