Summer means many things to many people
Summer is the best time of year for many people. It means long days, warm weather, beaches and pools, and all of your favorite foods. But it also means the temptation to neglect your health habits, and for some feeling alone with no plans or ways to spend time enjoying summer. The hot days can make it difficult to stay active and balanced on a regular basis.
Self-care summer is about making sure that you’re taking the time to take care of yourself. You don’t need to do everything that everybody else wants you to do; instead, focus on what’s right for you! And that starts with making sure you’re healthy (mentally and physically) enough to enjoy everything summer has to offer!
What Self-Care Activities Should You Include in Your List
To live a happy and healthy life, it is important that we incorporate self-care activities into our lives. The summer months can be a struggle for many people as the heat, sun, and humidity can take a toll.
Some self-care activities may be more difficult to do during the summer months. We should make sure to plan ahead of time for these challenges before the warm weather arrives. It is also important to remember that what works for someone else may not work for us. This is why it’s important to come up with a list of personalised self-care activities that will work best with your lifestyle and abilities.
How You Can Use the Sun To Get Your Vitamin D
The sun is a natural and healthy way of getting all the vitamin D you need. No matter what your skin tone, there is a simple and effective way for you to get vitamin D from the sun.
Even though we get vitamin D from foods like eggs, fortified cereals, and fatty fish like tuna, many people don’t get enough vitamin D from food alone.
Experts recommend around 18 minutes of exposure to sunlight three times per week, and there are plenty of self-care activities to increase your vitamin D keep you in an upbeat and healthy mindset.
15 Activities for Your Summer Self-Care Checklist
Below are a list of fun and different self-care activities to do this summer and make your summer a memorable one.
Summer is the time for holidays, beach trips, good food, and fun activities. But what should we do if we don’t want to spend our days lounging in the sun? Here are 15 self care activities that will help you stay healthy and productive through the long summer days.
1. Make a Summer Bucket List
Who doesn’t like making a good list and feeling accomplished? Use the below recommendations and add your own to create the ultimate summer self-care checklist and then actively work towards ticking them off before summer ends.
2. Nap in the Shade
Grab a blanket or towel and relax in a shady spot or take a good book to indulge in.
3. Go to the Beach and Listen to the Waves Crash In
Scientific research shows that negative ions (found in abundance at the beach) help to stabilise moods, influence serotonin levels plus you can soak up some vitamin D.
4. Pack a Picnic
Whether you opt for a relaxing and reflecting solo picnic or invite friends or family, pack your favourite nibbles and spend some valuable time outdoors.
5. Explore
Whether you opt for a local stroll or pack the car for a road trip, venturing out can be a great way to clear your head and enjoy the summer days.
6. Get a green thumb
Whether you have a love for gardening or not, getting your fingers dirty, getting some sunshine, and eventually enjoying the literal fruits (or vegies) of your labour is gratifying.
7. Tidy up
Focus on a small space or a neglected space, and clean it up. Reducing clutter can help you to feel calm as well as more confident to tackle larger areas or those big jobs you have been putting off.
8. Get Exercising
Get your endorphins running and a good dose of serotonin and dopamine. Try new exercises or workouts or even join our Wellness Warriors where we do a new exercise every week.
9. Listen to Music
Make a summer feel-good playlist and use music to improve your mood and stay motivated.
10. Practice a New Hobby
Summer is a great time to try that new hobby you have always wanted to give ago, as well as giving you bonus points for learning something new and having fun at the same time.
11. Do something creative
Whether it’s starting a journal, painting, pottery making or even dancing – doing something creative can help put you in a positive mindset and be more mindful.
12. Spend time with Loved Ones
Whether it’s friends or family you haven’t seen in a while, socialising with your best friend or reconnecting with an old acquaintance, spending time with others can help lift your mood and help you feel connected.
13. Express your feelings
Getting your feelings out in a journal, or having honest conversations with friends or family, expressing your feelings helps improve your emotional self-care, reduce anxiety and alleviate roadblocks in your mind.
14. Practice Mindfulness
Practice mindfulness meditation and focus on your feelings without judgement. Use breathing exercises to relax your mind and body to help reduce stress.
15. Relax!
Remember to actually spend time relaxing. Relaxing is beneficial to your physical, mental and emotional health, plus summertime is the best time to relax.
Take Care of Yourself and Stay Positive!
We hope these 15 summer self-care activities help you feel more positive, and mentally and emotionally healthy. While some of them may seem redundant or just not for you, they are activities proven to help boost your mood and mental health. Some of these may work for you and others might not. But as long as you are taking care of yourself, stay optimistic, and finding happiness in your life then it is all worth it!