3 Techniques For The Summer

It’s 5 pm on Sunday and I’m just sitting down to write. It’s been a busy month over here at the Dirty house, I’m sure y’all can relate. Seems to me everybody’s feeling a little worn down. Burned out. Too much trying to keep up and not enough signs saying “keep out.”

Each week, I set out to write an article or story loosely based on the question,“What can we learn from our dogs?” Sometimes, the lessons come fairly easily, while others are a stretch at best.

These are the times I rely on my boys to tell me what I need. The past month I’ve found myself going back to the basics, so, I thought it might be a good time do a little recap as we enter the Dog Days of Summer.

Grounding:

Humans are the only animals on Earth who wear shoes. It might not seem like much, but the small space between the pads of our feet and the surface of the Earth can make a huge difference in regulating our nervous system.

Make sure to spend some time this summer with your shoes off. And not just at the beach or the lake. Make it intentional. Walk around your yard for a few minutes each day. It helps.

The main benefit I have found from walking barefoot, in particular, is the awareness that I’m doing so. The grass between your toes, or mud wrapping around your ankles, forces us to be present. Simply put, it distracts you from thinking about what you’re thinking about.

Copycat:

This sounds goofy at first, but trust me, it works. In moments when I’m feeling overwhelmed or lost about my next move, I often copy what my dogs are doing. No, I don’t mean I lift my leg on my truck tire, but I will lie down for a few minutes if they are lying down. I will go outside and throw the ball if they want to go outside. I will eat a snack if they’re eating.

If you haven't tried rolling around in the grass for a few minutes, it's a game-changer.

Enjoy:

It sounds simple, and it is. Try to remember to enjoy what you’re doing. Make the small things matter because they do. Enjoy the little leftover dinners at home just as much as the 4th of July cookouts. The short hikes around your house can be as beneficial as a hike in Yosemite.

Dogs don’t work so they can enjoy a few special moments, they work on enjoying every moment. Especially the early morning belly rubs.