Summer and sunshine are a recipe for positive moods and lessened stress—sometimes. Though vitamin D is sure to give our brain and body a boost, it doesn’t always improve our moods and mindsets the way we want it to. We rely so heavily on self-care in the winter, but it’s still something that’s essential in the warmer seasons. Though your routine may look different now than it does in the winter, there are plenty of activities for summer self-carethat you can fall into. Learn more about our favorites below!
Outdoor Alone Time
If you have kids, then chances are that your moments spent outside aren’t the most relaxing. Maybe you’re playing with the kids, or maybe the whole neighborhood is out and about. Either way, you may not feel the most at ease. This summer self-care tip is about getting outside and, in particular, getting outside alone. Whether that means getting up earlier and going on a brisk walk or going rollerblading after dinner is entirely up to you. Maybe it’s a bike ride to the lake or a nap outside. Either way, try to plan some time that’s just for you outside.
Decluttering Sessions
At first, it doesn’t really seem like cleaning is the most relaxing of self-care activities. However, cleaning is often just what the brain needs to get a bit of a boost. We’re not saying that you need to spend the whole weekend cleaning (unless that’s what you want to do!). Rather, moments of decluttering will help tidy your home and your mind. Follow some simple decluttering methods to get started on a path to a calmer space for you and the family.
Head to the Water
One of the aspects people love the most about summer is the water. Boat days, beach days, ocean wave days—the options are quite endless. If you’re feeling particularly lost and down, head out to the water. The power of the waves and their gentle song has a way of soothing you like no essential oil ever could! Even a pool fountain or the simple lapping of the lake waters against the shore can cause you to instantly relax, so if you’re not near the beach, that works too.
Plan a Trip
Though the coronavirus pandemic has canceled a lot of summer traveling, that doesn’t mean you can’t reap the soothing benefits of planning a trip. Whether you decide on a winter getaway or something for the following summer, planning out where you’d go, what you’d see, and where you’d stay can have just as many relaxing qualities as actually taking the trip! You may even be able to take the trip sooner rather than later—wouldn’t that be incredible? Having something to look forward to is also an excellent way to subdue anxieties.
Fall in Love With Fresh Foods
Doesn’t food ever just make you feel so much better? Well, summer foods have that power times one hundred! Think of the fresh juices of a watermelon or the beauty of corn on the cob at the backyard picnic table. The fresh and light foods of summer are often that healthy kick we need to get our minds on a positive path. Not to mention cooking, chopping, stirring—all of those repetitive movements help focus your brain and reduce stress.
Winter isn’t the only time for self-care. Make sure you’re taking the time to do some of these summer self-care activities!
