Summer Bucket List for Anyone Living with Chronic Illness
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Many people believe that summer is a time for happiness and relaxation. However, this may not be the case if you are living with a chronic illness. Chronic illnesses often get worse in the heat and humidity of the summer months, but there are still things to do! In this blog post, we will explore a fun summer bucket list for anyone who lives with a chronic illness.
When we think of summer activities or fun summer bucket list ideas, we think of kids. Why do the kids get to be the only ones that have fun? Adults need to let off some steam as well.
If you have chronic fatigue syndrome, it is important to remember that your physical limitations may increase. You might experience increased sleepiness and pain in the summer months. If you are living with fibromyalgia or another autoimmune condition such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, lupus, or multiple sclerosis (MS), these conditions can also worsen during the hot weather months.
The same goes for thyroid conditions like Graves’ disease and Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis. It is crucial to take precautions when traveling outside on a scorching day – wear sunscreen and cover-up! If you must go out into direct sunlight, then do so before 11 AM at least three days per week according to American Academy of Dermatology guidelines.
Do you feel like the world is passing you by? As a person living with chronic illness, it’s hard to remember that there are so many things in life beyond our illnesses. This summer bucket list has something for everyone to try new things on their own or as part of a group!
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Random Summer bucket list ideas:
- Try an activity outside of your comfort zone and see what happens. You might find out how much fun these activities truly are!
- Go swimming at night under the light show of stars—you’ll never forget it! Swimming is actually a significant activity for those that are living with a chronic illness. It allows you to move your joints and muscles in ways you normally can not.
- Visit a local museum and explore some pieces that speak to you—maybe even take some time afterward to sketch or paint them too!
More specific Summer bucket ideas:
- Visit somewhere new
I am not much for traveling out of my city. I have been on a few family vacations, but I prefer to stay close to home. I do plan on doing some sightseeing in my city this summer. There is always something new and exciting to see downtown.
There are so many exceptional places in this world, and there is no reason for your hometown to be one of them. Pack up all your essentials and go explore!
Camping is the perfect time for little birdwatchers to get some action. Next time you head out into those woods, be sure to bring your binoculars with you because there will be a lot of birds around!
Before going camping, make this homemade bug spray so that we don’t get bitten – it doesn’t bother us but bugs won’t come near our campsite when we are cooking dinner or sleeping under the stars on an All-American night camping trip!
No matter where you’re traveling, make sure that you bring a first aid kit on your trip. But there are many other things to remember too! Fun Country Life has some great summer travel tips.
National Parks are a good place to go in the summer. You can buy a yearly pass or visit any park.
Add trying new recipes to your Summer bucket list
Summer is a great time to learn to cook something new. I know I want to learn how to use my Instant Pot more. I have had it for years and only made a handful of dishes in it. Learning to cook a new dish is a significant activity when you are living with a chronic illness. It is great to have a list of easy-to-make recipes for when you’re not feeling your best.
One of my favorite Instant Pot meals is Italian chicken penne. My husband is a picky eater, and he loves this dish.
Blueberry smoothie bowls are a fun way to enjoy breakfast. They are healthy and delicious. You can make them at home or buy them from a store. To make one, you just need to blend blueberries with milk until it is the thickness you want, add granola or fruit of your choice, and top off with whipped cream and sprinkles*. I like how easy these recipes are because everyone can get creative about what they want their bowl looks like – we all love how blue these smoothie bowls will be 🙂
Potato salad is a dish that can be found at every summer cookout. It’s often found because it can easily feed many people since it tastes good and is easy to make. Potatoes provide nutrients like potassium, which is important for your body, and also have a tasty taste on top of the other food you will eat there.
Donuts are a delightful treat. They can be expensive to buy, so why not make your own? This great donut recipe is fun to make, and it’s easy! You will get creative and you will also taste better than donuts from the store.
Lemonade shooters are a refreshing drink. They are perfect for kids and adults. They’re especially popular at parties or picnics in the summer!
This is a cast-iron blueberry crisp dessert that you can make with berries. You use fresh or frozen berries. The berries are sweet without the extra sugar. And the memories of family sharing this dish together are so nice and it is good to have wonderful memories!
This recipe is for a cool dish. The creamy cucumber dill salad has the best taste. You need yogurt, lemon juice, and fresh chopped dill to make the dressing. Crunchy cucumbers are between rounds of thinly sliced vegetables. It can’t get any better than this!
Add creative ideas to your summer bucket list
Being creative is a great way to spend your time and can help your mindset when you are living with chronic illness and chronic pain. Sometimes we need to get out of our own head and change what our mind is thinking about. It doesn’t always work, but it is at least worth a shot to try.
Do you want to play outside but it is too hot or raining? We have a solution for you! You can make homemade play dough without flour. Then your imagination can run free and you can use your hands and fingers to make shapes with it.
Playdough is not just for children. It is a great tool for anxiety and anger as well. Think of it as a pliable stress ball. Plus, it’s just downright fun to play with!
A family activity that is low in cost and high in entertainment value? What more could you ask for?! These film canister rockets are an easy, inexpensive way to spend time together. They’re fun not only for kids but also for adults alike! It’s a great boredom-busting project that will have everyone laughing in no time flat.
You can make beautiful flower-painted rocks for people to see. All you need is some paints, water, and some tools like brushes or sponges. You can use different colors on the rock or just one color if you want it simple.
Don’t forget to add some Summer bucket list items that are perfect for high-pain days. Just because we are in pain does not mean we can not enjoy ourselves. Try these ideas.
Did you know there are actually benefits to adult coloring? It can help with your anxiety and depression. I notice I am a lot calmer and more relaxed when I am coloring.
Another idea is to start a gratitude journal. Journaling has become a very popular hobby lately, and there is a lot of different journaling you can do. The benefit of a gratitude journal is to keep track of the things you are thankful for in your life.
A great distraction from pain, at least for me, is to get lost in a wonderful book! There are so many amazing books on the market these days that there is something for everyone. Do you have an e-reader? There are many ways to find free novels for your e-reader.
Do you have your own private backyard? I wish I did. That is the drawback to apartment living, sharing a backyard. Don’t forget to have some items for your Summer bucket list that are for just free play. Adults need to play too. When my daughter was younger, she had this ladder ball set at my sister’s house. It was a lot of fun for the entire family no matter what your activity level is.
What is better on a hot summer day than shaved ice? Probably being able to make your own shaved ice anytime you want to. We have had a few shaved ice over the years and they were always a hit.
\These are just a few ideas for your summer bucket list. I have created a free printable for you of these Summer bucket list items.
Living with a chronic illness can make summer feel like an uphill battle. However, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone and there are still plenty of things to enjoy this season. If you’re feeling stuck, take a look at our summer bucket list for some ideas on how to make the most of your summer. We hope these tips help you find some much-needed joy this season. What’s on your summer bucket list?
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