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Are you living your best friluftsliv? Loosely translated as "free-air life," it's the outdoor complement to the cozy Danish concept of hygge — and it just might flip your otherwise over-scheduled summer on its head.Where hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) is all shearling slippers and cuddling in front of the fireplace, friluftsliv (pronounced FREE-loofts-leave) encourages skipping barefoot across a dew-kissed field any chance you get. And Scandinavians know how to do it right.<img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/Teepee. .jpg" alt="little girl in teepee" class="right_image" />Try these traditional Scandinavian friluftsliv activities to fill your summer break with as much fresh air as possible:<ul><li>Make a daily habit of going for a walk in nature or just around your neighborhood without any agenda. Turn off your phone, or put it in airplane mode.</li><li>Eat as many meals as possible outside — at a sidewalk café, in your own backyard or at a local park. Bonus activity: try making <a href="http://rainorshinemamma.com/how-to-make-bread-on-a-stick-recipe/">bread on a stick</a> over an open fire.</li><li>Build a home for the fairies in the woods, park or backyard using materials (leaves, flowers, acorns, feathers) you find in nature.</li><li>Celebrate the summer solstice by picking seven types of flowers and putting them under your pillow. According to Scandinavian legend, the person you dream about that night is the person you will marry — sweet dreams.</li><li>Forage for flowers in the woods. Or, have the kids help plant window boxes with herbs and edible plants that they can tend to over the summer.</li><li>Sleep under the stars, either on a camping trip or just outdoors on a back porch.</li><li>Pluck dandelions, link them together and make a crown.</li><li>Beat the crowds and take a refreshing morning dip in a lake, ocean or pool.</li><li>Walk barefoot, as often as you can.</li></ul>Once you start living the "free-air life" of friluftsliv you'll be hooked, even if it takes some practice to pronounce it. So, kick off your shoes, grab your dandelion crown and head outdoors for a Scandinavian-inspired summer that's closer to home.

The Ultimate Summer Break, Scandinavian Style

For many kids, sleepaway camp — swimming in lakes and roasting marshmallows around a bonfire — is how summer is spent.And then you grow up.But you can recapture the spirit of those activity-packed, fun-focused days. Inspired by those carefree weeks in the woods, summer camps are making a comeback across the country — this time, for adults.Their premise is straightforward and nostalgia-tinged: sleeping in tents, eating hot dogs (gourmet ones, of course) at communal picnic tables and making new friends. It's a trend that speaks to travelers' growing desire for engaging vacations — ones that lead to self-discovery or a deeper connection to nature — as opposed to just posting up poolside.Today's travelers place value on things like pursuing a hobby or enhancing their relationships, and adult camps certainly tick those boxes.Many adult camps also offer niche, immersive learning experiences like acrylic painting and grilling. For busy professionals and parents, a weekend away with a focus on fun can be rare — but it's important to carve out time for just that.Whether you're a high-octane hiker or an ornithology enthusiast, here are five camp-like experiences to help you reconnect to those feelings of lightheartedness and joy you felt when you still fit comfortably in the top bunk.<img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/web_HERO_GRILLING_BRONWEN_0.jpg" alt="woman grilling meat" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>1. Belcampo Meat Camps, California</h2><a href="https://belcampo.com/meatcamp/">Belcampo Farms</a> is a 10,000-acre estate that raises sheep, goats, pigs and cattle in the idyllic Shasta Valley of Northern California. This is where curious home chefs escape to for one of the three-day "Meat Camps" every summer, where guests learn skills like knife sharpening, butchering, sausage making and open-fire grilling.It's a unique opportunity for the groups of 25 campers to connect with the source of their food, and to have a bit of fun along the way. Aside from lessons about sustainable farming and hands-on cookery, the retreat includes mountain hikes, picnic lunches, sunset cocktails and family-style dinners. And, after a day of cooking and hiking, campers turn in for the night with a bunkmate in luxury tents (plush beds, butterfly lounge chairs, animal pelt rugs) designed by Shelter Co. dotted throughout the farm's orchard.<img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/web_BWP_0068.jpg" alt="chairs in a circle overlooking a lake" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>2. Adventure Aurora, Upstate New York</h2>Billed as an "elevated" camp experience, <a href="https://www.innsofaurora.com/">Adventure Aurora</a> is a four-day getaway meant to highlight nature in New York's Finger Lakes region. Campers' activities include bird watching, journal-making workshops, lakeside yoga and meditation, a lunchtime cruise on Cayuga Lake, guided hikes through nature trails and wine pairing dinners.While this package requires a group booking (minimum 14 people), anyone staying at the Inns of Aurora can participate in the array of weekly communal activities, including tea-blending sessions hosted by the lodging's "Director of Serenity." During this class, guests gather around a table to learn about the flavor profiles and healing properties of various herbs, then create and brew their own blends.<img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/web_Red Mountain Resort 1.jpg" alt="view of the pool at Red Mountain Resort" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>3. Retreats at Red Mountain Resorts, Utah</h2>Choose your own camp adventure in the red-rock canyons of Southern Utah from the adventure, health and wellness retreats dreamed up by the curation team at <a href="https://www.redmountainresort.com/retreat-packages#adventure">Red Mountain Resorts</a> in St. George. Always wanted to pick up an instrument? Learn to pluck like a pro in all-levels ukulele lessons. Scramble over sand, lava and Navajo sandstone formations on a guided hike. Brush up on astronomy with an evening of stargazing and learn how to sleep better in a class geared to help improve bedtime routines.No matter how you fill your days (or nights), the all-inclusive experience includes three healthy meals per day (dig in to an organic quinoa breakfast bowl or a pepita-crusted lamb with purple potatoes for dinner), wellness workshops and access to one of Utah's top-rated spas. And, if you showed up at camp solo, meet fellow campers by making a dinner reservation for one of the nightly seatings at the restaurant's Community Table.<img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/web_GC_Canopy_Tour_Bonsai_Testing_3_AndrewTaylor.jpg" alt="person zip lining over a forest" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>4. Epic Discovery, Colorado</h2>Those seeking a summer adventure that could also include the kids can head to Vail Mountain's <a href="https://www.vail.com/explore-the-resort/activities-and-events/epic-discovery/epic-discovery.aspx">Epic Discovery program</a>, designed for visitors to "learn through play" with experiential outdoor activities linked to environmental education. In partnership with The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Forest Service, Epic Discovery has set up a mountaintop wonderland."Fly" above the treetops on a sled on the alpine roller coaster, glide along a thousand-foot-long zipline with postcard-perfect views of the Rocky Mountain's Gore Range, scramble up a rock-climbing wall with 16 routes to the top, or hike an interactive forest trail dotted with installations about the local flora and fauna. And, in the summer, the ski runs at Vail Mountain become myriad hiking and biking trails. As for the après-adventure scene, there are several lodging options, including slope-side resorts and lodges with apartment-style units.<img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/web_0x675 copy_2.jpg" alt="Three Tee pees in a field at dusk" class="hero_listicle" /><h2>5. El Cosmico, Texas</h2>The rugged desert landscape of Marfa, a small town in West Texas that evolved into a hub for avant-garde art installations, helps set the quirky, holistic vibe at <a href="https://elcosmico.com/">El Cosmico</a>. Created by hotelier Liz Lambert, founder and chief creative officer of Bunkhouse which runs El Cosmico, this characterful lodging is spread over a series of stylishly decorated vintage trailers (think: 1950s Vagabond Camper outfitted with a comfy queen bed, AC and a wooden deck), along with a handful of yurts and safari tents.Throughout the year, this campground for adults fosters a sense of community with nightly campfires and communal meals. And El Cosmico also hosts a series of festivals and events designed to "elevate the mind, body and creative spirit," including a ceramics workshop, water marbling with a textile artist and artisanal sourdough bread baking class. These unplugged and interactive summer adventures are the perfect antidote to our busy, tech-driven lives. They say everything old is new again, and when it comes to reinvigorating our bodies and minds, the aphorism rings true.

This Summer, Send the Adults off to Camp

Just like flickering fireflies on a warm July night, the relaxing days of summer often pass by in a flash — but it doesn't mean you have to let go of your lighter, breezier mindset.All it takes to keep an easygoing mental outlook are a few simple behavior switch-ups. To help you shift your habits, we asked mindfulness experts and summer enthusiasts to share their top tips and tricks.<img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/summer-bliss_body-2_1401618920.jpg" alt="A woman wearing a black palm tree dress reads a book in a cabana by the beach." class="right_image" /><h2>Lean into the laidback vibes</h2>It starts with noticing the changes as the weather turns warmer. With the busy state of our day-to-day lives, "It's important as summer approaches to be on the lookout at the world around you and adjust your mind and body accordingly," says Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and co-founder of The Center for Mindful Living in Los Angeles, CA. "When you do that, your mind and body slow down and you're more aware of what's happening in the moment."<h2>Be up for anything</h2>There's something about summer that makes us more apt to take a trip or get together with pals without much planning. It can be fun to try to keep that flexibility year-round. When you find yourself with free time, throw an impromptu happy hour or hop in the car for a last-minute road trip. Keeping weekends spontaneous when you can — even once the school year starts and work ramps back up — is a good way to continue the carefree spirit of the season.<img src="https://www.lifeandmoney.citi.com/rcs/lifeandmoney/storage/public/summer-bliss_body-1_1064987572_0.jpg" alt="At a table in a house backyard, a woman tosses a salad while man prepares to cut chicken." class="right_image" /><h2>Prioritize the positive people in your life</h2>Summer is often the most social of seasons, so it's a good time to bolster your support system. Don't be afraid to forge friendships with people you meet "who are naturally inspiring," suggests Dr. Goldstein, and make a concentrated effort to spend more time with people who lift your mood. "People are the greatest environmental cues," he says, "and those social cues remind us to live in this particular way on a daily basis."— With additional reporting from Life and Money by Citi editors.

3 Easy Ways to Hold on to Summer Bliss 

Summertime turns up the heat for certain businesses, but for others that operate seasonally, the June to August stretch may bring a revenue cooldown.
Restaurants, retailers, accountants and florists are just some of the businesses that can develop a serious case of the summertime sales blues.
If you&rsquo;re tempted to hang up the &lsquo;Gone Fishing&rsquo; sign on your business this summer, all you may need to get through the upcoming lean season is a fresh perspective. Here&rsquo;s how to continue thriving when sales take a summer vacation.
<h2>Crunch the numbers on cash flow</h2>
Keeping cash flow on an even keel during the summer slowdown is critical if there&rsquo;s less revenue coming in.
&ldquo;Summers can be really tough, because it&rsquo;s when buyers are distracted with vacations, kids are home from school and disposable income is being used for travel or summer entertainment,&rdquo; says Claudia Montez, founder of Isabelle Grace Jewelry.
Traffic is usually busiest for her hand-crafted jewelry boutique during the winter holiday season, and summer means doing some reshuffling to stay in the black. For example, Montez adjusts her product pricing and runs summer sales to maximize shoppers&rsquo; motivation to buy.
Making sure there&rsquo;s money coming in is part of managing cash flow in the slow months, but you need to keep an eye on what&rsquo;s going out, too. Summer is a great time to review your budget and look for ways to trim expenses.
For example, you may be able to cut back on staffing when sales are slower to offset the higher overhead costs that go along with the busier times of the year. Or perhaps spend a little less money on marketing certain aspects of your business.
Josh Zimmelman, founder of New York, NY-based Westwood Tax &amp; Consulting, says to think twice about making any big investments during a summer slump. &nbsp;&ldquo;Even though ad campaigns or new equipment might bring in more revenue,&rdquo; Zimmelman says, you may want to consider delaying spending money on these endeavors until you can cover them.
<blockquote>
Summer is a great time to review your budget and look for ways to trim expenses.
</blockquote>
<h2>Scope out new sales opportunities</h2>
Karen Wylie, owner of The Blue Ridge Soap Shed, a handmade soap shop in Spruce Pine, NC, saw her summer sales go from a flood to a trickle after road construction kept tourist traffic away from her business for two full seasons. Instead of going into meltdown mode, she and her husband turned an extended lean season into a growth opportunity.
&ldquo;We used that time to develop our website, so it would provide a greater percentage of our annual income in the future,&rdquo; Wylie says. She also created new sales avenues by offering workshops for people interested in soap making and entrepreneurship.
Montez uses social media and email marketing to stay connected with her customer base over the summer. &ldquo;Every week, we offer a special discount to our newsletter subscribers and social media followers,&rdquo; which she says has helped grow the business&rsquo;s customer base.
This past summer, she also spent time expanding her company&rsquo;s wholesale sales distribution channel, something she plans to repeat in future slow seasons. By growing this channel, she says, Montez has been able to make her business &ldquo;a little less vulnerable to the day to day retail ups and downs from direct purchasers&rdquo; that characterize the summer months.
If you&rsquo;re struggling to come up with a way to keep your sales ship from sinking in the lean season, tap your customers or clients for help. Reach out through social media or email to find out what products and services they&rsquo;re most interested in to generate some new revenue ideas.
<h2>Complete a tax check-up</h2>
When business is going swimmingly, tax planning may get pushed to the backburner. The lazy days of summer are a good time to get caught up &mdash;&nbsp;and even better when you&rsquo;re doing that lounging by the pool.
&ldquo;Talk to your accountant about how to lower your taxable income,&rdquo; Zimmelman says. &ldquo;Make sure you&rsquo;re up-to-date on new tax law changes, and that you&rsquo;re getting all the deductions and credits you&rsquo;re eligible for.&rdquo;
Also, schedule in time to revisit your quarterly estimated tax payments, income taxes and payroll taxes to make sure you&rsquo;re paying enough and making those payments on time. &ldquo;The IRS is never an attractive creditor,&rdquo; says Stanley Rose, tax director, Baker Newman Noyes in Portland, ME. &ldquo;Paying your income taxes late is bad enough, but failing to pay payroll taxes withheld from employees can trigger an even worse penalty.&rdquo;
<blockquote>
If you&rsquo;re struggling to come up with a way to keep your sales ship from sinking in the lean season, tap your customers or clients for help.
</blockquote>
<h2>Tackle overdue updates</h2>
If you&rsquo;ve got plenty of down time over the summer, use it to your advantage to make overdue improvements.
For example, your point of sale system or accounting system might need an update. Or, you may want to revamp your marketing strategy and give your e-commerce site a facelift. Wylie uses the off-season to schedule repairs and maintenance so having workers on-site isn&rsquo;t a distraction to customers.
Montez says the summer months are an opportunity to reflect on what is &mdash;&nbsp;or isn&rsquo;t &mdash;&nbsp;working for her business. She uses the downtime to design new products, source new materials, test out different marketing initiatives and network with other local business owners.
<h2>Find ways to recharge yourself and your staff</h2>
You can use a summer slow period to level up your entrepreneurial skills by taking a class, snagging a spot at a seminar or conference, and networking with other likeminded business owners. If the busy season normally leaves you drained, consider recharging your batteries at a meditation or wellness retreat. Montez pencils in a summer getaway to visit family in Portugal so that she&rsquo;s refreshed and ready to go once sales begin to pick up again.
Don&rsquo;t forget your employees, either. Use the slow time to schedule a mid-year meeting and work on some team-building to keep morale up. Consider introducing summer Fridays or floating summer holidays as bonus vacation days to give employees time to recharge, too.&nbsp;&nbsp;
And, if the previous sales season ended on a high note, an end-of-season bash is the perfect way to celebrate while rewarding employees for all their hard work.
<h2>Summer doesn&rsquo;t have to be a bummer</h2>
Summer may be fleeting &mdash;&nbsp;but the things you do during the slower months can influence your seasonal success. It all comes down to using your time wisely. Checking in with your cash flow, going over the books and investing time in improving your business &mdash;&nbsp;and yourself &mdash;&nbsp;can all pay off once the leaves begin to fall and sales pick up.
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How to Survive – and Thrive – in the Business Slow Season

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