Take an evening stroll

If you don’t have time to put together a picnic, carve out some time in the evening for a stroll.

“Studies have consistently shown that time in nature is an antidote to stress. It allows us to be really present and moves our focus away from what is troubling us,” says Perlin. “Go on a walk this evening, utilising the wonderful light and become really curious about how the trees look different, how they feel, how they sound as their branches move in the wind.”

Take an outdoor yoga class

Connect with your spiritual side with a slow, mindful yoga class in the evening sun. It’s the perfect way to connect your mind and your body with the world around you.

Bring nature inside

Don’t regularly buy flowers? Maybe today is the day to try. Splurge on a big bouquet of wildflowers for your kitchen table to bring some of the spirit of midsummer into your home.

Watch the sunset

Find a nice viewpoint near your home and sit back and watch the sun slip beyond the horizon. Watching the sunrise and sunset isn’t something many of us do all that regularly, but it can be a magical experience – and the summer solstice is the perfect day to give it a try.

Make your own ritual

It’s never too late to start a new ritual. Even if you don’t have a summer solstice ritual of your own, invent one this year.

“Rituals, which are a series of actions performed in a specific way, have been part of human existence for thousands of years,” says Perlin. “They make us feel great, increase our performance and reduce our anxiety even if we scientifically don’t fully understand why. Why not create your own ritual to mark this summer transition?”

Whether it’s a picnic, a walk, or simply a few minutes checking in with yourself, give yourself your own solstice ritual this year.

Summer solstice: small ways you can celebrate the longest day of the year