Mindful Minute: Rekindle Your Inner Summer Camp Kid — The Importance of Fun

By Koryn Sheppard

Remember those endless summer days of childhood? The taste of a rocket pop melting down your fingers, the tart sweetness of homemade lemonade, the distinct smell of sunscreen, and the sheer, unadulterated joy of summer camp? As adults, we often trade in those carefree days for responsibilities, deadlines, and the everyday grind. But what if we told you that embracing a little bit of that inner summer camp kid is not just nostalgic, but essential for your well-being?

In our busy lives, fun often gets relegated to the bottom of the priority list. We become hyper-focused on productivity, sometimes to our detriment. While completing tasks is important, true fulfillment comes from aligning our actions with your values and sense of purpose. And a big part of that alignment should be making space for joy. Just as a cluttered office can increase stress and interfere with focus , a life devoid of fun can lead to emotional exhaustion and burnout.

Think back to those summer camp days. For many, summer was a free time and space, unscheduled and open to exploration. This contrasts sharply with today’s heavily scheduled lives, even for kids. What made those camp days so magical? It was the permission to play, to explore, to connect with others, and to simply be. These seemingly simple acts are powerful stress relievers and mood boosters. Engaging in positive activities, surrounding yourself with positive social connections, and participating in acts of kindness are all vital for well-being. Indeed, positive social relationships are fundamental to healing and overall well-being, especially when dealing with stress or even trauma.

So, how can you rekindle that inner summer camp kid this season?

• Find Joy in Movement and Connection: Remember running around freely at camp? Reconnect with movement through activities that bring you joy, whether it’s pickleball, tennis, hiking, surfing, paddling, or dancing. Any activity that gets you moving and, ideally, connects you with others, can be incredibly beneficial. Such practices can be crucial for healing by reconnecting the mind and body, addressing the physical manifestations of trauma, and promoting self-regulation.
  
• Detach from Screens and Embrace Unscheduled Time: In an age of constant digital stimulation, it’s easy for free time to be consumed by “doom scrolling” or passive media intake. Intentionally detach from screens and find more unscheduled time that allows for conversation and movement, as screen time often diminishes both. This creates more space for genuine connection and freedom.
  
• Incorporate Short Mindfulness Sessions: If finding free time in a hectic schedule feels impossible, try incorporating even short meditation sessions, perhaps 1-3 minutes, just to focus on your breath and recalibrate. This can help you think (and schedule) more creatively and break out of time habits that defeat free time. The San Diego County Bar offers a free Mindful Meditation session monthly. Remember, meditation is just one option for cultivating mindfulness.
  
• Practice Mindfulness in Activities: Truly be present in your everyday activities. Really listen to a friend, family member, or significant other during a walk or hike. Connect with people before or after a sports activity. Be fully present for your dance partner. These mindful connections can deepen your relationships and enhance your sense of interconnection and freedom.
  
• Set Boundaries and Take Breaks: Even at summer camp, there were rest hours. As adults, it’s easy to overdo it. Compassion fatigue, often stemming from working in high-stress environments, refers to the physical, emotional, and psychological toll of helping others experiencing stress or trauma. Practicing self-care and setting healthy boundaries are extremely important in combatting compassion fatigue. This includes prioritizing regular breaks throughout the day, using vacation time to recharge, and setting clear boundaries between work and personal life to prevent emotional exhaustion. It also extends to setting boundaries with news outlets and social media, especially during intense periods like election cycles, and continuing to engage in activities that feed the soul.
  
• Practice Gratitude and Positive Thinking: Remember the feeling of accomplishment after winning a silly camp game? Cultivate that positive outlook by practicing gratitude and positive thinking. A daily gratitude habit can help reframe negative thoughts. Actively searching for and acknowledging positive things can shift your brain’s focus and break cycles of persistent negative thoughts. This can lead to increases in resilience, optimism, and constructive action through improved mental health and stress management.
  
• Ask “What Sparks a Light in You?”: As one insightful quote suggests, “You often feel tired, not because you’ve done too much, but because you’ve done too little of what sparks a light in you”. This aligns with the idea that fulfillment comes from aligning actions with values and purpose. Take a moment each day to ask yourself: “What is one thing I can do today that will make this day feel truly meaningful?”. It doesn’t have to be grand; it could be anything from reading to your child before bed, preparing a healthy meal, or even watching an episode of your favorite show. Over time, these intentional, fulfilling moments can help restore your sense of purpose and joy.

Just as spring cleaning can transform your physical space into one that fosters productivity and well-being, embracing fun can declutter your mental space and bring back a sense of joy and purpose. So, this summer, give yourself permission to reconnect with your inner summer camp kid. Your well-being will thank you for it.