Unwind in Nature
Spending quality time in the great outdoors is a scientifically proven salve to help manage stress and boost your mood.
- Learn more about local flora while getting a healthy dose of Vitamin D. The location of Madison Parks’ guided conservation park tours (July 10 & Aug. 14) moves monthly.
- Head to Devil’s Lake State Park for a Department of Natural Resources naturalist-led hike (Wednesdays, July 10, 17, 24, 31; Aug. 7, 14, 21, 28).
- Whether you’re a new hiker or an avid ambler — the Ice Age Trail Alliance coordinated group hikes (July 20; Aug. 4, 10, 17) are a great way to get swept up in the rejuvenating magic of the trail.
Nourish Your Body
Preparing wholesome meals has long been considered an act of love towards others — but is also a great way to practice self-care.
- Sign up for the Sourdough Master Class (Aug. 6) at Bekah Kate’s in Baraboo for guidance on how to create and maintain a healthy sourdough starter from scratch.
- From home brewing kombucha to mastering new zucchini recipes, Willy Street Co-op’s three locations all offer multiple in-person and remote cooking classes year-round to up your culinary skills.
- Snag a seat at DelecTable for the Midsummer Light event (July 23) and learn how to make multiple healthy summer meals. Or, keep it lean and green with an innovative vegetarian cooking class at the Verdant Delights session (Aug. 5).
Uncover Your Calling
Take time to give back by making a difference in your community and get on the fast track to finding your true purpose.
- Browse volunteer opportunities through danecounty.gov for a chance to use your skills and help local programs thrive.
- Become a recycling steward with Sustain Dane’s Recycle Better Program, an award-winning class (July 11 & 18) that encourages neighborhood sustainability.
- DreamBank’s Making Time for What Matters five-week session focuses on how to prioritize your time and give your dreams the attention they deserve (Thursdays, July 11-Aug. 8).
- Still searching for direction? Sign up to be a seed collector at Pheasant Branch Conservancy and help diversify local prairies while savoring a beautiful stroll (July 21; Aug. 3, 18, 31).
Strengthen Self-Connection Through Mindfulness
Learning how to live in the now is a critical skill that can help you find happiness in every day.
- Explore the power of positivity from the comfort of home with a Madison College online coaching session (July 31) on Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude.
- Find your flow at UW Health by combining slow physical movement with meditation in a Qigong-inspired Mindfulness in Motion class (July 25-Aug. 15).
- Enjoy a mindful moment and find stillness between the stacks when you drop in on the Sequoya Library meditation group (July 8, 22; Aug. 12, 26).
- Gather in Spring Green with Kindled Community Sauna and put your mindfulness to the test with an evening of storytelling, a wood-fired sauna, and a cold plunge session (offered throughout July & August).
Find a New Creative Pursuit
Mindful hobbies allow us to relax and have even been linked to improved mental health.
- Let your mind wander as you focus on the little details during a landscape painting workshop (July 7-9; Aug. 9-11) at Monroe Street Art Center.
- The soft “whoosh” of warp meeting weft will transform your thoughts into a meditative mantra as you weave mug rugs and flags with a little help from the Textile Arts Center of Madison (July 13).
- For a wellness hobby you can practice at home (or honestly, anywhere), Spry Whimsy Fiber Arts teaches both knitting (Aug. 15, 29) and crocheting (Aug. 6, 20) — no previous experience required.
- Settle into the rhythmic hum of the wheel and feel clay between your fingers with one of many wheel-throwing class options offered in July and August through Dongzhu Pottery Studio.
Focus on Feel-Good Fitness
Think outside the gym and try these innovative, joyful ways to move.
- Reach new heights as you belay through a Boulders Climbing Gym climbing class (offered Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays every other week).
- Slow down with weekly drop-in ballet class at Madison Ballet or make some noise while learning to tap dance at Vibe Dance.
- Discover a new level of muscle control and have fun as you fly on silks, sling or dance trapeze in a series of classes
at Swing State Arial (offered throughout July and August).
