Summer is right around the corner, and it’s a great time to switch up your self-care routines to be more specific for the season. Of course, you’ll want to be adding SPF to your daily rotation and drinking more water, but there are other ways you can up your self-love and enjoy the breezy, leisurely days of summer. Let’s look at how you can up your summer love game and stay looking and feeling your best.
Get Outside!
Obviously, with summer comes more pool days and beach days, even longer vacations. But, if you want to show your mind and your body some love, get outside every chance you get. Numerous studies have shown that spending time in nature is beneficial to your health. Not only is grounding, but it also connects you with your community and improves your mood. Get out to local parks, meet neighbors, go on walks, plant a garden – anything you can to soak up the summer sun and boost your mood. You’ll be getting that critical Vitamin D on which our body and immune system thrive.
Exercise In Nature
While many of us pack on some pounds during the cooler winter months, it doesn’t have to do with the holiday treats we’re indulging in. When it’s cold outside, we become more sedentary and exercise less – even when we have a home gym. Take advantage of the sunshine and exercise in the fresh air. Yoga on your back patio sounds delightful, and can you think of a more high-intensity jog than a sandy beach? The benefits of exercise are well known, so get moving in nature.
Get Creative With Hydration
When the weather is warmer, you’re naturally consuming water. While you should already be getting in your eight glasses a day, summer allows you to get creative with the drinks you’re enjoying and is more likely to get you to that gallon-a-day mark. Cucumber water is delicious; sparkling water with a handful of seasonal berries is too. When hosting parties, let your skills shine by getting creative with signature summer cocktails that include flowers and fruits.
Stay Socializing
Speaking of throwing parties – socialization is a considerable aspect of self-care. Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen the toll that isolation can take on someone’s mental health. When your mental health suffers for long enough, so does your physical health. Show yourself some love by hosting outdoor parties with friends and loved ones. Summer provides the perfect weather, but it also lends itself to fun themes like luaus, beach parties, garden parties – be creative with your themes! Just make sure you’re taking time to connect with the people that mean the most to you; it’s incredibly healthy.
Get Out Of Town
Numerous studies have shown that people who regularly go on vacation have a significantly lower risk of strokes, heart attacks, and other health issues. While vacationing may seem like it’s not in the budget for some people, even a weekend road trip does wonders for your physical and mental wellbeing. Prioritize and save up for vacations for the aforementioned reasons, but also because making core memories with family and loved ones while out of town is priceless.
Treat Yourself!
Maybe you’ve needed a new swimsuit, or you’ve been eyeing the perfect floral summer dress. Perhaps a pair or two of cute sandals is on your wishlist. Retail therapy can become a slippery slope for some people, and you don’t want to impulse shop to the point you’re in debt or left with buyer’s remorse; but, if you’ve been coveting something – splurge!
Another area you can treat yourself in is treatments like facials, Botox, or anything else you’ve wanted to have done to feel more confident. Meet with your hairstylist and get a fresh cut and some education on the best products for your hair type. Do you need low porosity hair products or high? Have you wanted a Brazilian Blowout? Go for it! Maybe a visit to an esthetician to get some microblading. Part of showing yourself love is rewarding yourself for all the hard work in your professional and private life every day. So, go ahead and get a couple of items on your “want” list; you deserve it!
Summer is the time of year we look forward to the most, while winter seems to drag on. Some people even deal with Seasonal Affective Disorder, and summer provides a much-needed reprieve from dark feelings and mental health struggles. Use the tips mentioned above to show yourself as much self-love as possible this summer to stay in overall peak health. Here’s to you!
