9 Summer Self-Care ideas

It is again that time of year, that magic time of the year, when everything and anything is possible. Long summer days, beach walks under the moonlight, staying up all night to watch the sunrise, ice cream at midnight, summer festivals, all the good vibes and so much more. Summer, summer lovin’ - my favorite time of the year. As a child, summer was a looong break from school, equivalent of freedom, of hanging out with friends, of staying up late, the season of new friendships and going to the beach. Summer was spending time with grandparents in the countryside, exploring the woods nearby, picking berries, learning the names of all the trees, swimming in the river or going treasure hunting with my cousins. Summer break would end at the seaside, with my parents and their friends, and their friends’ kids, whom were more or less my age. And it was so much fun and it was the best of times.

As an adult, summer is still my favorite season and is still as magic as I remember it. Summer with all its colors and its flavors, with its sunny and long days, warm nights that keep me awake, summer festivals, hanging out with friends, socializing or spending time with family. Summer is not just my favorite season, is simply my season😊

With all the attractions, or the opportunities and all the temptations out there, how do we maintain a self-care routine and how do we make sure we stay healthy and happy?

Say goodbye to summer body, just love your body

It’s June already and your body might not look like you were hoping it would on January 01, in spite of the resolutions you made and in spite of all the salad you’ve been eating since May 01.

But what if you focused more on health? on keeping your body healthy, giving your body the right foods and allow rest? Our bodies are amazing, they are built of billions of cells, and there is so much they do for us. Our bodies are unique and each part of our body tells a unique story. You might not fall in love with your body immediately, but learn first to accept it. How about you start by making a list with all the amazing things your body does for you? Then focus on the parts you love about your body. Why is that?  What are the parts you love less about your body? Can you think of at least two things these parts that you don’t like so much do for you? What if you start befriending these parts and show more understanding for them and in the end for yourself.

Stay hydrated…. I mean it! Drink water

Remember my previous post where I was talking about healthy habits? Drinking water is that one healthy habit that shouldn’t miss from your daily (self-care) routine. Our bodies are made of billions of cells and each cell contains water. Our cells function best when they are filled with water. During warm months our bodies lose more fluids through sweat and respiration, and also, our bodies make more effort to stay cool, hence the importance of drinking water to compensate.

Enjoy summer fruit and vegetables

One of the so many reasons why summer is my favorite season is also because in this time of the year I can eat my favorite fruit and veggies. While nowadays is possible to find strawberry in winter, I like to stick to my habits and eat season fruit and vegetables. The colors, the flavors, the taste, the sweetness, summer fruit and vegetables are simply an immense joy to our senses. Not only they are tasty, they also come with great health benefits. Summer fruit and veggies add to your diet healthy fiber, antioxidants and are rich in vitamin and minerals, have anti-inflammatory properties and keep you hydrated. Some of the season’s super stars include blueberries, apricots, peaches, strawberry, watermelon, tomatoes, zucchini, cucumber or bell-peppers.

Prioritize rest and relaxation

Summer days are long, and when is light outside and too warm to sleep we easily lose track of time. But rest and relaxation is not just about getting to bed early and getting the right amount of sleep. Rest and relaxation is about making sure you have enough time for yourself, that you ensure a good life- work balance, that you allow recovery after a stressful period, that you discover those activities that relax you and you practice them regularly. Remember to take breaks during the day, continue with your sleep routine and take a nap in the afternoon if you feel low energy.

Meditate

Yes, summer is a great time to meditate. If you’re new to meditation and have been thinking for a while that you’d like to give it a try, now is the best time. Whether you’re an early bird who likes to wake up with the sun or a night owl in love with the night, meditation is a great practice to start or end the day with. Meditate in nature, on the beach at sunrise, on the top of a mountain, in the park or at your place with the windows wide open, meditation helps building resilience to stress and anxiety, it improves mood and helps dealing with the summer heat.

Spend time in nature

Get hydrated and use sunscreen. Make sure you chose the right moment to be out in nature. Spending time in nature is a wonderful opportunity to improve your mood, to boost the immune system and reduce stress. Nature is a great source to generate positive emotions, it teaches us how to be present and enjoy the moment. Go outside, experience the sensations: the smells, the sounds and embrace the beauty and uniqueness of the place you’re in.

Reconnect with your inner child

What did you enjoy doing as a child and you don’t do much of it anymore? Or not at all? Our inner child is that unique part of us that still remembers the magic of childhood, that holds incredible memories, remembers the innocence, the freedom, that is playful and joyful. I was mentioning in the beginning of this post, that as a child, summer was the equivalent of freedom. I kept that feeling throughout adulthood and is probably the reason why summer is still a magic time of the year. I allow myself to be silly, to be playful, I like to play at the beach with my children: to make castles in the sand, make giant splashes in the sea, to put my head under water and not worry that my hair doesn’t look perfect anymore. I do like myself when I wake up my inner child and I’m sure you’ll do too 😉

Learn a new skill

Is there something you’ve always wanted to try and you haven’t had a chance yet? Whether you’ve always wanted to try Scooba diving or learn a new language, summer is a great time to learn a new skill and to tap into your creative side. It is also a great opportunity to make new connections, to spend more time outdoors ( for those activities that make you get out of the house) and do something that is useful and that you enjoy.

Socialize

Reach out to your friends and get together more often.  That friend you haven’t seen in a while… give them a call, invite them for lunch, or a walk in the park, or go for drinks. Connecting with others, hanging out with your friends or your family not only is fun, but has so many health benefits. It improves your mood and makes you feel happier, but also promotes a sense of belonging. With all the events happening in summer, all the travelling, it is a great opportunity to make new friends, create new memories, learn more about one another or just about yourself.

These are just a couple of ideas to keep you busy this summer 😊 although, the idea is not to keep you busy, but to keep you healthy and make you happy. Pick one that speaks to you the most and enjoy summer.