5 Ways to Savor Long, Sunny Summer Days

In the fjords of western Iceland, townspeople live in perpetual darkness for several months each winter. When rays finally reach their villages, the people stop work to cheer sunlight’s return with a ritual “sun coffee.” By mid-June, Iceland’s days are so long (nearly 21 hours!) that it’s no wonder Icelanders are so social in the summer. We living at lower latitudes may not experience quite that dramatic a shift, but why not celebrate these lingering moments of sun warmth with our own rituals?

Take a sunrise hike. With twilight starting close to 5:30 a.m. and sunrise close to 6:00 a.m. for most of the US a few weeks before and after the summer solstice (June 21), there’s plenty of time to hike, soak in the day’s early colors, and get ready for the rest of your day. Most wildlife hides once the sun gets intense; by hitting the trail early, you’re more likely to sight unusual birds or encounter other shy wildlife. Take photos! The sun’s low-angled rays will make you look like a pro with the rich colors and warm glow they impart.

Start a morning meditation practice. We’re steeped in info about meditation’s benefits: It takes the wind out of stress’s sails, supercharges immunity, heightens concentration, and strengthens relationships by making us more compassionate spouses, parents, friends, and coworkers. Sign me up, right? It can be painfully difficult to try to establish a practice in winter when it’s dark and all you want to do is pull the covers up and snuggle into your pillow for another half hour. Summer is an excellent time to make a positive meditation habit stick.

Get in touch with your inner builder. Always dreamed of having your very own backyard Tardis? Or a treehouse that would make Swiss Family Robinson envious? Okay, maybe your DIY dreams aren’t quite that elaborate, but everyone’s got an inner child who loves pounding nails to make something useful or pretty. Rather than building with new materials, look for cool upcycling projects, which keep costs low and increase your good impact on the earth.

Throw a garden party. No, we’re not suggesting a ladies’ tea with breezy dresses—unless that’s your thing. We’re talking a potluck featuring ingredients you grew in your garden. Have a bumper crop of summer squash? Make a few trays of squash lasagna (substituting zucchini or summer squash sliced lengthwise for the pasta noodles). Is the mint threatening to overtake the irises? You say invasive, we say mojitos—or virgin sparkling-mint coolers. You get the idea. Share summer’s abundance with friends and neighbors, and invite them to contribute garden eats of their own.

Harvest fresh herbs. Don’t wait until your herbs bolt (and get woody and bitter) at summer’s end. Dry or freeze herbs now, at peak flavor, to enjoy later in colder months. You’ll love infusing stews and soups with homegrown flavors of sage, thyme, and marjoram come November. Got scads of lavender-blossom stalks? Don’t forget to leave some blooms for the bees, but harvest now to make sachets or scented bath salts. Get our recipes for pesto cubes here.