Summer is the best time to enjoy the great outdoors and soak up the sun. There are endless possibilities when it comes to outdoor summer activities, and the best part is that many of them can be done at little to no cost. Here are some fun and exciting outdoor activities to keep you busy throughout the summer! How to Enjoy the Summer Season Safely Summer tends to be the time of year when events happen the most, but it’s also a time of year when people can experience some deadly health issues. Extreme heat and sunlight can unfortunately cause heat exhaustion and stroke in many individuals, especially those who go out for a day of drinking and fun in the sun with little to no water consumption. Here are some tips on how you can enjoy your summer season safely! Always dress appropriately. Dressing appropriately for the summer season can help prevent any health issues. Wearing clothing that’s too tight, too dark or even too heavy can all lead to heat related health issues. If you do wear long sleeves or other clothes that cover a large portion of your body, make sure to wear light colors. Instead of wearing metal jewelry, which can lead to ring avulsion when your fingers swell from the heat, alternatives like silicone rings are always great to have on hand. Our silicone rings are perfect for all your summer activities. From the bright colors that will stand out in the sunlight to their all-day comfort, you won’t want to take them off! Check the weather throughout the day. Checking your weather app first thing in the morning might seem like the best course of action, but in reality it’s much more important to check it throughout the day. The summer season is notorious for brief but severe storms that can pop up, especially in more humid areas in the south and barren, flat areas like the midwest. In fact, large portions of the midwest are nicknamed “Tornado Alley.” If you’ve ever wondered where that came from, you don’t have to wonder too deeply when you see how many tornadoes and severe thunderstorms happen in that area during the summer season. Since many experts are noting that the area for prevalent tornado activity is shifting to encompass much more of the southeast than in decades past, it’s important that you get in the habit of checking your weather apps and tuning into local news broadcasts throughout the day instead of just once or twice. If you’re spending the day at the beach or even hiking on trails, checking the weather multiple times throughout your activities could potentially save your life. Stock up on the essentials. Reusable water bottles, antibiotic ointment, bug spray and sunscreen are all some of the best essentials for your summer activities. Make sure you have all the essentials on hand to enjoy your summer. Having these will ensure your summer stays fun! You can never have too much water while out and about during the summer. It might be tempting to enjoy a bunch of sugary drinks during the warmer days, but those will unfortunately only serve to make you more dehydrated. If you do decide to drink alcohol or drinks other than water, make sure to follow it up with water. A good rule is to drink one glass of water for every beverage you enjoy, especially while outside in the heat. If you’re someone who enjoys exercising outside during the summer, make sure you invest in workout accessories that will help you get the most out of your workout. Fun Outdoor Summer Activities Once you’ve become an expert on how to enjoy your summer activities safely, you’re ready to learn all about the fun summertime activities you can do either solo or with friends. Here are some exciting things you can enjoy this summer: Go on a hike. Hiking is a great way to get some exercise and explore your local area. You can opt for a casual walk in the park or a more challenging hike on a mountain trail. Pack a backpack with snacks, water and sunscreen, and you’re good to go. Hiking is an activity that you can do alone or with a buddy. You can even bring your dog! Of course, not all trails allow you to have your four-legged friend with you, so make sure you check beforehand. Plus, order a dog collar and leash set from QALO so your dog can traverse the hiking trails with you safely. Camp with friends. Camping is one of the most popular summer activities, and it’s easy to see why. It provides a chance to disconnect from technology and connect with nature. It’s also perfect for spending quality time with family and friends. You can camp in a national park or a nearby campsite. Pitch a tent, light a campfire and enjoy a hot dog or two. If you and your friends are amateur campers, or you all aren’t too sure about spending hours outside in the summer heat with insects and wildlife, there are lots of cabins and hotels nearby many trails and National Parks you can enjoy together instead. Not everyone is built for outdoor experiences, but you can still enjoy the outdoors for a few hours each day, and then return to your air conditioned room to cool off! Find Your Perfect Ring Swim at the lake or by the pool. Swimming is the quintessential summer activity. Whether you prefer the pool, the lake or even the beach, there are countless opportunities to cool off and have fun in the sun. Don’t forget to pack a towel, sunscreen and a hat to protect yourself from the sun. Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States, and it’s also one of the most preventable. No matter your skin shade, you can do your part to prevent skin cancer by wearing quality SPF that features zinc oxide as an ingredient to repel the sun’s rays. Go for a bike ride. Biking is another fun way to explore the outdoors. You can ride on a paved bike path or go off-road on a mountain bike trail. Biking is not only a great workout but an eco-friendly way to get around. Reduce your carbon emissions and help make the planet healthier by going for a bike ride! Biking can also target your calves, glutes and core, so when you choose to bike during the summer, you’re getting an amazing workout while also making the Earth a better place. Kayak down the river with someone special. Kayaking or canoeing is an excellent way to experience the water. You can paddle along a river, through a lake or even on the ocean. Make sure to wear a life jacket and bring some water and snacks. If you’re looking for exciting summer activities to do with your significant other, why not consider kayaking? Tandem kayaking is a great exercise in working together with your partner, and the views are spectacular. Enjoy a leisurely ride down the river in a kayak or canoe with your special someone this summer! Fish in deep or shallow water. Fishing is a low-key summer activity that is enjoyed by people of all ages. You can fish in a local pond or take a boat out to a lake. It’s a great way to spend time with family or friends while enjoying the beautiful scenery. It’s also an opportunity to clear your mind of any stresses and focus on relaxing. There’s a lot of patience to be had in fishing; many times you’re simply throwing a line with bait into the water and hoping that something will bite. For those who struggle with patience or anxiety, fishing can be a great activity that helps you navigate your feelings, strengthen your patience and get in tune with your body. Pack a low-key picnic. Picnicking is a classic summer activity that never gets old. Pack a basket with your favorite food and drinks and head to a nearby park. Spread out a blanket and enjoy some quality time in the sun. Bring a book you’ve been meaning to read, a bluetooth speaker to listen to some relaxing tunes and even consider bringing a friend or family member along! Bring some cards or a board game and play a fun game together to make things interesting after you snack. Go to an outdoor music festival. Summer is the season for outdoor music festivals. From local bands to international headliners, there are lots of places to enjoy live music while soaking up the sun. Grab your friends and head out to a festival near you. Turn it into a road trip or weekend getaway! Plan matching outfits and practice your winged glitter eyeliner before preparing for the big day. You and your friends will have so much fun listening to musicians of all genres at festivals everywhere this summer. Relax with yoga in the park. Yoga is a relaxing way to stay active and flexible. Take your practice outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. Many parks now offer free yoga classes, so be sure to check your local park’s schedule. It’s also a staple of coffee shops, community centers and even farmer’s markets early in the mornings. Some places host yoga during the sunset hours, too, so you can enjoy a session in the evening to decompress after the workday. Yoga has lots of health benefits, ranging from decreased stress to better heart health. You can enjoy a great session of yoga at your local coffee shop or bookstore as a fun outdoor summer activity! Get outside and get gardening. Gardening is a great way to connect with nature and improve your outdoor space. You can start a vegetable garden, plant flowers or even create a beautiful landscape in your backyard. Gardening is not only rewarding but a great stress reliever. You’ll start to feel much more energized throughout the day too. Because you’ll be outside, you’ll get all the benefits of increased amounts of vitamin D. There are plenty of outdoor summer activities you can easily enjoy right from your own backyard. Whether you choose to go hiking, swimming or even gardening, there’s something for everyone. Grab your sunscreen, a bottle of water and a pair of sunglasses and get outside and enjoy all that summer has to offer! Image Credits phM2019/Shutterstock.com Deemerwha studio/Shutterstock.com