With summer upon us full force now we find ourselves looking for alternative ways to keep our cool and stay comfortable. Ways to soothe our body, mind and spirit after long hot days of working or playing midst the heat and humidity of the summer days.

Our vacations and Summer fun is as always marred by sunburn, itches and rashes, or just tired bodies aching for a cool soothing soak. Aromatic baths will help you relax after any long day but especially now when the days leave us hot tired and sweaty. Try cooling your senses in a bath with oils of lavender and chamomile. Finding yourself away on vacation with no oils handy? A luke warm bath with a cup of baking soda will soothe you and leave you feeling refreshed after a long day of hiking trails. Start your summer day with a refreshing soak with lemon, rosemary and tangerine to awaken your senses and energize you as your day in the heat begins.

The hot summer sun leave you feeling dehydrated and sunburned? After a day at the beach using your best SPF sunscreen you find that you still managed to attain a nice red glow instead of the tan that you aimed for. Try some soothing milk compresses, the fat content in milk is soothing and will help take the heat out of the skin. My choice of arsenal for that summer burn is aloe. Fresh plants make a wonderful remedy to keep on hand, not only for the summer burn but also for those kitchen mishaps with the stove. Aloe gel you will find is a wonderful healer for the skin. A natural lip balm of beeswax and almond oil will aid in keeping your lips kissable and not parched from the wind and sun.

Nature’s pests preying on you tend to be another of the summer’s gifts we have to endure. From biting and stinging insects to rashes from poisonous plants we find ourselves suffering from itches and rashes begging to be soothed. For trying to avoid the biting and stinging pests there is tansy, patchouli and lavender, all natural insect repellants. Too late for repellants? Try soothing the areas with some calendula or belladonna (caution when using belladonna, toxic). For bee stings a simple paste of baking soda gives tremendous relief to the swelling and itching that accompanies the effects of bees and wasps.

Other alternatives to coping with the heat and strains of summer can come from within you. Yoga is one way to ease your body and spirit and prepare it for the active summer of water skiing or hiking in the mountains. Use yoga to begin or end your day’s activities and enhance your summer living by soothing away anxiety and aches and pains of the day.

Reiki is the Japanese word for universal life energy. Use reiki to promote healing, relaxation and well being this summer for another alternative to help you through the stress summer can take on the mind and body.Finding yourself inside listening to the rumbles and grumbles of an evening thunderstorm? Meditate and let yourself hear the rain and thunder while it lulls you into a calm peaceful feeling and allows you to focus your energies on yourself instead of the day’s tasks and chores.

So as summer wears on, the heat and humidity increase we will find ourselves seeking comfort from any means available. As this leads off the summer comfort theme hopefully you have found some things that will make your summer more tolerable and enjoyable. Recipes and other tips will follow the next few weeks to help make your summer a healthy happy and holistic one.

alternative ways, stay comfortable, summer days