Realign This Summer: Reconnect with Your Family Through Nature, Calm, and Simple Intentions
Written by Heidi MacAlpine
Summer is often painted as a carefree season, but for families, it can just as easily feel chaotic and overstimulating. With school out, routines upended, and everyone under one roof more often than usual, it’s easy to lose track of what truly matters. Looking back, I can see how much I put into my family’s summer memories.
But here’s the beautiful part: summer is also a natural invitation to realign with yourself, your family, and the world around you.
This season reminds us that growth doesn’t always come through doing more, but through slowing down and tuning in. And one of the most powerful (and free!) tools we have to do that is nature.
Whether it’s a walk in the park, an evening picnic, barefoot time in the grass, or watching the sunset together, nature grounds us. It pulls us out of the noise and into the present moment. It gives children space to explore and adults space to breathe. These moments don’t have to be big or perfectly planned—they need to be intentional. Through my conversations with friends and family, I have gathered some key tips and ideas that won’t break the bank!
Need some inspiration? Here are simple, calming ways to connect as a family this summer:
Family nature walks with no agenda—just curiosity ( I like to do this with my morning coffee on the deck.)
Evening “unplugged” time under the stars or around a backyard fire.
Journaling or drawing outside, letting the environment inspire creativity
Gardening together (even a few potted plants on the porch can spark joy)
Practicing mindful breathing or simple stretches outdoors
Amidst all the busyness, these grounding rituals help us feel centered, connected, and in tune—both with our own needs and with one another.
For me, creative expression and time in nature go hand-in-hand. As I’ve explored new tools like Neurographica and continued reconnecting with my creativity, I’ve noticed how my sense of calm directly influences the energy in my home. When I’m aligned and present, it creates space for more ease, joy, and authentic connection in my family.
Many of the families I work with report the same thing. Whether it’s carving out quiet time together or creating intentional routines, the summer shift, when guided by nature and mindfulness, can open doors to the simple things in life that have the potential for more harmony and more joy.
So I invite you to ask:
What does your family truly need this summer?
What could you release, simplify, or reimagine to bring more peace into your home?
What calming rituals could become your family’s anchor in a busy season?
This doesn’t have to be the summer of “doing it all.” Let it be the summer of being present, realigned, and gently connected.
I have collaborated with community businesses to support family well-being. Through my work and personal journeys, I’ve found tools that help families move from scattered to centered, without guilt or overwhelm. We’d love to help your family do the same.
🌞 Drop a comment below:
What’s one way you’d love to reconnect with your family this summer—through nature, creativity, or calm?
Here are some links to opportunities for your family to reconnect with community activities:
LI Strive - https://www.listrive.com/trainings-weekly-classes
Align OT/ Pawcasso Art Studio - https://alignotscheduling.as.me/
Align OT Instagram- For upcoming events for moms, adults, and families- https://www.instagram.com/p/DDAxx8hrDD/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==
Let’s make this a season of intentional living and lasting memories. 💛
Stress impacts beyond the workplace.
Research to support a stress-free summer:
https://www.google.com/search?q=The+Cost+of+Stress%2C+by+Umass+Lowell+and+the+BrightPlan+2024+Wellness+Barometer&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari
