Take a step outside this week and breathe. The start of summer brings with it the longest days of the year. It’s the perfect time to stay out late and breathe in a little new relaxation.

There is nothing that can regenerate the soul as quickly as a few moments connecting to the natural world – breathing it in can be a potent tool.

We all have a little part of our earth that thrills our spirit. Find yours:

Is it the beauty of a tree that rustles in the breeze and gives you shade on a sunny day?

Are you a gardener who loves to feel dirt between your fingers and the thrill of a new sprout shooting up from a seed you planted?

Maybe, you love water, and the sound of the waves hitting the shore, or the cool-wet thrill of a dip in water on a hot summer day?

Do you like to feel fresh cut grass between your toes?

If you can’t go there now, just close your eyes and imagine it. See your favorite natural space in your mind’s eye. Put yourself there and take a deep breath. Notice what season it is, what time of day. Are you by yourself? Are there any sounds? What is the temperature? Is there a breeze? What is the sky like? Breathe in that good memory. Breathe in that good place and breathe out any tension or negative energy that you notice in your body.

Now, just clear your mind and focus on your breath. Play with it, become a part of the natural world around you, or just visualize yourself responding to it.

Here are some cards from Do Tell: The Relationship Game that put a little fun into this exercise.

Do: Be a turtle who is running late.

Do: Demonstrate what you do when you’re on a hike with a group of people and they are far ahead of you.

Tell: Would you rather be a cat who is stroked or a dog who herds? Why?

Do: You’re a scout leader lost in the woods as night falls. Give your uplifting “We’re going to be OK,” speech to the scouts.

We are a part of the natural world. We are connected to it with every breath that we take. So, take advantage of a little extra summer sunshine to add life to your breath. Bring in some relaxing energy. Breathe out what you no longer want.

Trying using your voice as a part of this exercise. Speak as you exhale. Say out loud what you want to breathe out. It becomes more concrete this way. Then you can tap into the natural power of what is going on inside you, and connect to a fresh new breath for your life.