When we think of seasonal blues, winter is usually the first season to come to mind. But summer, with its long days and stretches of unstructured time, is a close second. If you find yourself and the kids feeling adrift during the hottest days of summer, try these ten pick-me-ups.

1. Get up an hour earlier.

Whether you're an early bird or a night owl, getting up an hour earlier than usual can benefit your mood - if you use that hour to ease into your day. Wake up before the kids and give yourself an extra hour to

• have your morning coffee or tea
• take a walk
• meditate
• write in a journal
• plan your day
• cook yourself breakfast

When you're going to bed the night before, think about how you're going to spend your extra hour - and look forward to it.

2. Get outside - when it's cool.

It's well-documented that being outside benefits your mind and body, but sometimes the heat of summer can leave us hiding indoors, where it's cool. Try instead going outside in the early morning or just before sunset, when it's cooler. Take a walk together or have a picnic! Or have dinner on the patio tonight.

3. Try Japanese forest-bathing.

Forest-bathing, or shinrin-yoku, is a preventive health measure designed to benefit both mind and body. It was developed in Japan and has recently made its way to the US. Despite its name, you won't need a swimsuit. Essentially, forest-bathing is taking a mindful, meditative walk in nature. This article in Time Magazine has a number of suggestions on how to do forest-bathing. If you don't have easy access to a forest, don't worry! Any spot of nature will do. Grab the kids and get out into the green!

4. Get wet.

This one seems obvious, but I'll include it because it's a great go-to way to beat the heat (and the blues) of summer. Dig your bathing suit out of the bottom drawer, gather the friends and family, and

• find a local pool,
• visit the lake, or
• gather some friends and go see the ocean!

5. Meditate.

If you're feeling out-of-sync and distracted, meditation could be for you. Setting aside just a few minutes a day to meditate can have great health benefits in the long run. If you're not sure how, there are a number of phone apps that will help you get started. Mindfulness is helpful for kids, too.

6. Go on a culinary adventure.

Feeling bored with your current menu? Try something new and shake things up a bit! You could:

• try a new summer recipe
• take a cooking class
• go out to a new restaurant, or
• order in for a change!

7. Try a digital detox hour.

In spite of all the things they bring us, our devices (tablets, laptops, phones, watches, etc.) can leave us feeling lonely and isolated if we're too focused on them. Try a detox. Set aside a period of time, anywhere from an hour to a week (a vacation is a great time to do a digital detox), and put away the devices.

Don't have the luxury of a totally tech-free hour? There are also ways to structure and/or limit your use of technology that can benefit you. If it's difficult to get the kids on board, check out this article for ideas!

8. Declutter. Even if you don't enjoy decluttering, chances are getting rid of unwanted, unused, or out-of-date things will help your mood some. Start small. Go through your fridge and toss all of the expired items. Then do the same for the medicine cabinet. If the task feels too huge, set a timer and do it for 15 minutes.

If you'd like some inspiration for the whole family, try watching Marie Kondo's new show about tidying up.

9. Look for local events to attend.

Don't forget that summer is a great time for arts and music festivals, outdoor films and plays, community garden events, and much more. Check your local listings for a gathering that appeals to you, gather the kids, and try it out!

10. Learn something new.

Is there something you've always wanted to learn to do? Summer is a great time for short classes on everything from auto repair to cooking to martial arts to theater. Also, learning something new is a good way to get out of a rut. Check your local community college, YMCA, yoga studio, or community theater. Sign up and get moving!