Your Summer Self-Care Survival Guide
Summer is a season of slowing down, and, with long summer days and relaxing vacations on the horizon, there’s no better time to feel your best, both mentally and physically. But it won’t all fall into place magically. Instead, you have to make an effort to prioritize self care, take care of your body, and focus on your mind.
Not sure how to start putting your mental and physical health at the top of your to-do list? We’re here to help. From exploring movement to making memories, here are the seven tools you need in your summer self care survival guide.
Explore Intuitive Movement
Summer is time to rediscover what it feels like to be a kid again. Moving, running, and strolling simply because you want to move your body, because it feels great, and because exercise releases endorphins that make you feel happy.
Take a leisurely walk outside before the midday heat sets in, dance to a playlist of nostalgic summer songs.
You can also take advantage of slower summer workdays by fitting in a midday workout class. Don’t forget to keep up your workouts while traveling to help maintain the sense of balance you’ve worked hard to cultivate.
Stay Hydrated
Most of us know that we lose more water during the summer thanks to sweat, heat, and humidity, but we often don’t know we need to adjust our hydration practices accordingly. To compensate for potential dehydration brought on by summer activities, Everyday Health suggests drinking 16 ounces as soon as you wake up, another 16 ounces before noon, and another 16 ounces before 5 PM. Add in tea and seltzer throughout the day if you have trouble drinking plain water or if you need an extra incentive to down another few ounces.
Get Enough Sleep
Between the sun going down at 9 PM, summer plans, and living on vacation time, it’s sometimes too easy to let your schedule fall by the wayside. Add in the heat of summer and eight hours of restorative sleep can seem like a far off dream. But that can be remedied with a few self-care focused adjustments. Start your day on the right foot by getting plenty of light first thing in the morning to wake yourself up. Be sure to also create a sleeping environment that’s conducive to relaxation, including dimmed lights before bedtime, lightweight bedding, and a fan to help keep you cool.
Eat Farmer’s Market Produce
Your body’s cravings shift with the season and in summer, you may find yourself gravitating towards water-rich foods like cucumbers, watermelon, and juicy berries. Make it a weekly routine to go to the farmer’s market and load up on in-season produce. Then challenge yourself to make a new recipe with your fresh ingredients. Try a few from this list of summer recipes from SELF or pick up a new-to-you item, like rhubarb or ramps, and get creative with what you whip up in the kitchen.
Prioritize Quality Time
If some of your best memories are of lazy summer days, beach trips, and picnics in the sun, you’re probably not alone. Many of those memories are made with our closest family and friends. Prioritize spending quality time with loved ones this summer. Log-off early and enjoy a sunset dinner al fresco. Take the weekend to spend quality time at a nearby beach with your friends or family. Make the most of those long summer days.
Embrace Novelty
Turn some of that quality time into a chance to try something new. Part of the reason seasons fly by as we get older is that there are fewer new experiences to differentiate our days. Buck that trend by adding novelty back into your life. There’s no better time than summer to try a new workout. Explore a new neighborhood. Challenge yourself.
Wear Sunscreen
Lastly, with all of this outdoor activity, don’t forget to protect your biggest organ, your skin! Wear sunscreen and reapply regularly to take care of your current and future self. Use a sun to shield yourself from harmful UV rays and invest in a good pair of sunglasses, and wear protective clothing.
