There’s something about summer that instantly makes me feel better.
After a rough winter mentally (and physically with all the snow we had in Michigan!), I’ve never felt more ready for a new season to begin. Between the warm sunshine, longer days, and more time spent outside, it’s always the time of year I remind myself to slow down and soak in every moment as much as possible.
Instead of waiting until the end of the year to reassess my goals and intentions, I started making it a point to check in with myself every few months. A lot of our goals and habits can change in such a short amount of time, so at the beginning of May, I thought about how I could make the most of summer and practice self-care habits that would help me become a better version of myself.
I’ve learned it’s not about trying to keep up with the “perfect” routine or checklist when it comes to self-care, it’s about setting goals and intentions that feel right for you. If you’re in need of a reset before the new season begins, here are some summer self-care ideas to help you feel your best:
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Create A Morning Routine You Love
I’ve never been a morning person or somebody who thrives off a routine. That combination alone makes it hard to believe I wanted to create a morning routine that I’d actually enjoy, but the way I was starting my days wasn’t working anymore and I knew something needed to change.
Setting intentions right when you wake up can set the tone for your entire day. A few self-care habits I added to my morning routine included staying off my phone for at least 30 minutes after I wake up (it’s forced me to get up earlier and even scroll less!), journaling a few thoughts for the day, and adding lemon to my first glass of water.
Creating a routine that works for me didn’t necessarily mean waking up at 5 a.m. or checking off a ton of items on my to-do list, it meant learning how to stay consistent with smaller, more intentional goals.
Summer simple self-care ideas to add to your morning routine:
- aim for 10-15 minutes of fresh air or sunlight
- set an intention for the day such as being more present, choosing joy, or releasing stress
- enjoy your favorite drink from a water bottle you love (I’ve been using this free-sip Owala lately)
Get Outside And Take Mindful Breaks
While I love working from home, I noticed how bad I am at stepping away from my computer, especially when I’m deep in my work.
One of my main summer-self care goals has been stepping away more intentionally throughout the day, even if it’s only for 15 minutes at a time. While I try to exercise a few days a week minimum, I’ve been trying to be more mindful of adding in small reset breaks (setting a timer helps!), whether it’s stretching quick on my yoga mat, or heading outside for a quick walk with ankle weights.
Taking a mindful break is sometimes exactly what you need to feel more grounded where you are and be fully present, especially in the middle of a busy day. It gives you a chance reconnect with yourself by intentionally paying attention to what you need. I’ve also found that when I take a break, I come back feeling even more productive and refreshed, instead of pushing through the day because I feel like I have to.
Summer self-care ideas for getting outside and taking mindful breaks:
- take a walk distraction-free
- spend a few minutes reading or resting outside instead of sitting at your desk
- exercise barefoot in the grass to help you feel grounded and reconnected
Add A Weekly Journaling Session
Journaling has numerous mental health benefits, such as gaining clarity and a deeper perspective on how you feel. It also helps release your innermost thoughts and feelings without holding back.
While I’ve journaled pretty consistently over the years, I noticed recently that habit was starting to slip. As I started reflecting on my self-care goals and habits for summer, I decided to add journaling back to my morning routine. It’s helped me gather my thoughts and process my current feelings, especially since I’ve been brain-dumping in a plain notebook, writing down any and everything that comes to mind.
You don’t have to journal about the same thing every time you write, and you can always use prompts to guide you if you’re unsure what to journal about.
Something I’ve also added to my weekly routine is writing out a gratitude list. My friend and I use an app called Gratitude Plus Journal, to share three things with each other that we were grateful for each day. It’s helped us both with accountability and encourages us to think beyond the usual things that come to mind when we think of what we’re grateful for.
Another helpful practice is physically writing out your self-care wellness goals, habits and intentions in a gratitude journal or self-care journal. I love being able to look back and see what I was grateful for at different points in my life and how much has changed even in my mindset alone.
5 summer journal prompts to help with personal reflection:
- 1 thing you want to let go of this summer
- 2 ways you can reduce stress
- 3 people you’d like to spend more time with
- 4 activities you want to do more of
- 5 things that currently bring you joy
Prioritize Rest and Healthy Foods
Getting enough rest and making sure I’m nourishing my body with healthy foods has made the biggest difference in my energy levels and how I feel.
Rest isn’t only about getting the right amount of sleep, it’s also about learning how you can slow down, check in with yourself, and be aware of what your body needs.
A few summer self-care habits that I’m incorporating into my daily routine are eating fresh fruit (smoothies are my go-to, this Nutribullet blender makes it so easy), choosing a screen-free activity before bed (I love this cozy coloring book!), trying new healthy recipes, and going to bed a little earlier.
Being intentional with rest and prioritizing healthy foods can shift how you feel both mentally and physically, and help create habits that last even beyond summer.
Summer self-care ideas for prioritizing rest and healthy foods:
- prep meals ahead of time
- limit caffeine mid-afternoon
- have a “slow morning” once a week
- unplug at least 30 minutes before bed
Savor The Small Moments
When I thought about how I could make the most out of summer, I realized what’s most important is enjoying every moment as it comes, especially the simple moments that bring the most joy.
For me, I find happiness in sitting outside in the sunshine, enjoying an iced coffee on my deck, relaxing on the beach listening to the waves, or spending time with somebody I’m close with. It’s in the everyday moments when we can slow down and be present that we truly start to feel most connected to who we are and what brings us joy.
A helpful way to be more mindful of savoring the small moments is to create a summer bucket list filled with meaningful activities, not just big plans or vacations, but the small moments you can’t get enough of.
Summer self-care ideas to add to your bucket list and help savor the small moments:
- enjoy at least one sunrise or sunset either by yourself or with a friend
- do something nostalgic from your childhood such as riding a bike, rollerblading, or playing music you used to love
- take more candid photos (this Fujifilm Instax Mini camera is the best for taking fun pictures)
- plan a fun afternoon (going to the beach, hiking with a friend, having a picnic)
- read a summer romance novel (One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune is going to be my next summer read)
Whether it’s starting your day with a slow morning, being more intentional with how you spend your time, or creating a fun bucket list, focus on what will bring you the most joy this summer.
Summer self-care habits aren’t about following the perfect routine or checklist, but intentionally making choices to help you feel like a better version of who you want to become.
