Celebrate The Summer Solstice With Us!

The summer solstice marks the official beginning of the summer season. It is also the longest day of the year, due to the tilt of the Earth’s poles towards the sun. Because the solstice officially marks the beginning of summer, summer solstice celebrations have taken place to welcome the seasonal change across different cultures for many centuries, and many traditions often include bonfires, feasts, and festivals. In many parts of Scandinavia, they celebrate by gathering for meals, singing, and dancing around a maypole, while in Spain and other European countries, they often celebrate with large bonfires. And, in Alaska, they celebrate with the Midnight Sun Festival. 

 

Summer Solstice Healthy Habits 

• Fresh Fruits and Vegetables – With the warm summer weather also comes the summer harvest, and many fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs are more widely available than at other times of the year. Berries, cucumbers, beans, squash, and tomatoes are ripe for the picking in June, and can all be incorporated into the daily diet for optimal health! Aiming to eat the rainbow for every meal helps ensure you are supporting your gut microbiome with a diverse selection of foods, while also increasing your antioxidant intake. Eating seasonal foods helps ensure that you are receiving the maximum amount of nutrients possible. 
• Sunlight Exposure—With the longer days also comes more sunlight and more Vitamin D! We recommend aiming for at least 15 minutes of direct sunlight daily for optimal health, but be sure to use proper sun protection if you plan to be outdoors for long periods of time. Hats, sunglasses, long-sleeve shirts, and high-quality sunscreen are necessary to protect your skin and prevent sunburn. 
• Circadian Rhythm – Exposure to sunlight as soon as you wake up is important for optimal circadian rhythm. Ideally, getting outside soon after waking is preferred, but if you are unable, you can open the curtains and blinds to increase your sunlight exposure while you are getting your day started each morning. Morning sunlight helps tell our bodies that it is time to stop making melatonin so that we can wake up and get started with our day! 
• Friendship and Community – Summer is an excellent time to host friends, family, and neighbors to gather together and enjoy great food, drink, and sunshine. Try out this Summer Solstice Sangria Recipe at your solstice gathering:

 

Summer Solstice Sangria

Ingredients:

• 1 orange
• 1 lemon
• 1 lime
• 1 cup cranberry juice
• 1 cup pomegranate juice
• 1 cup orange juice 
• ½ cup lemon juice
• 2-4 cups of sparkling water

 

Directions:

• Cut fruit into small pieces, and add to the bottom of the pitcher
• Add cranberry, pomegranate, orange, and lemon juices together into the pitcher, and mix well
• Add sparkling water prior to serving
• Enjoy! 

 

Do you have any summer solstice celebrations or traditions? We would love to hear about them! Leave a comment below this article with your favorite solstice celebration! 

 

References:

https://www.history.com/articles/history-of-summer-solstice 

https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/history/history-of-summer-solstice-traditions