30 Easy Self-Care Practices for Summer

Summer has officially begun and I can't stress this enough but self-care is still important. Before we get swept up in the excitement and fun we should remember to first take care of ourselves. Self-care can be defined in many ways, but put simply self-care is essentially taking deliberate steps to look after yourself and your well-being. Summer is great for self-care because it offers us a wide range of opportunities to practice self-care while taking advantage of what the season has to offer. It is important to note that self-care does not have to be complicated. The simple act of watering a plant can be considered self-care. In today's post, I'll be sharing a list of self-care practices for the summer.

1. Drink Lots Of Water 

Summer days are hotter than usual which means you need to stay hydrated. Drinking enough water keeps you hydrated and is also great for your skin.

2. Eat More Fruits And Vegetables

Increase your water intake by incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet.

3. Try A New Recipe

Since you'll be making little changes to your diet, this is a fun way to introduce new foods without limiting yourself. Trying a new recipe will also help you enjoy cooking again.

4. Spend Time With Loved Ones

Carve out some time to hang out with your friends and family. Spending time with your loved ones is one way to reduce stress as you can get their advice on things that you might be struggling with. Just the act of sharing a few laughs can help you destress.

5. Phone A Friend

Spending time with friends doesn't always need to be in person. A quick check-in with a friend can lead to a more stimulating conversation. It might be easier to catch up with a friend over the phone than to plan an actual meeting. We are all here adulting and it may be hard to get your calendars in sync.

6. Practice Skin Care 

Take care of your skin. This means protecting it from the sun by wearing sunscreen and if you don't already have a skincare routine create one.

7. Go To The Beach

Summer isn't summer without a trip to the beach. Go enjoy the feel of the powdery sand between your toes and the refreshing sea breeze on your skin.

8. Sleep In

Grab a few extra hours of sleep on weekends or on your days off during the summer. Rest is an essential form of self-care.

9. Create A Summer Playlist

You can create a fun playlist with cheery and playful music as these are the main qualities of a true summer song, however, it's your playlist so you can add whatever music you want as long as it fills you with joy.

10. Exercise

Anything you can do to keep fit and improve your health is self-care. This can be as simple as going for a walk in the mornings or a full-body workout at the gym.

11. Dance Like No One's Watching

Dancing is a great way to relieve stress and if you are not a fan of rigorous exercise dancing helps you keep your body moving during the summer.

12. Check On Your Health

Make an appointment to see your doctor for checkups.  Go to the dentist and whether or not you wear glasses, get your eyes checked. Having a clean bill of health is essential for a fantastic summer.

13. Relax Outside

If you don't already have outdoor seating you can create your own. Grab a blanket or towel and find a cool shaded area to relax. A few minutes of fresh air can leave you feeling refreshed.

14. Treat Yourself To Some Aromatherapy

Buy some scented candles and use them. Some great scents for the summer would be anything tropical, fruity or citrusy and vanilla. If you have a favourite scent you can work with what you love.

15. Dress Up

You don't need to wait for a special occasion to get dolled up. Throw on your favourite outfit for the summer and go out and take some bomb photos, even if you don't share them on social media you'll always have them to remind yourself that you are gorgeous!

16. Go On A Date

You can go on a romantic date with your partner. This is great if you both find yourselves in a rut. If you are single take yourself on a date. Go to a restaurant, order some food and learn to enjoy your own company.

17. Do Something You Love

We often get so caught up with the challenges of daily life that we sometimes forget to make time for the things we love. If there is something that you love to do, make some time to do the activity this summer. I can assure you that you will not regret this,

18. Get Some Ice Cream

Ice cream is the ultimate treat for beating the summer heat. Indulge your inner child by treating yourself to this delectable delight. If you prefer frozen yoghurt know that works in the same way.

19. Cleaning

Decluttering your space can instantly improve your mood by helping to clear your mind. It also increases productivity. Cleaning is even better when you have the right music. This is where the playlist mentioned earlier comes in handy.

20. Have A Spa Day

This can mean seeing a professional and getting pampered for the day or you can get crafty and set up your own spa at home.

21. Take A Long Bath/Shower

After a long day, there is nothing more exhilarating than jumping into the shower. Showers are perfect for cooling off on those hot summer days. If you have a bath, fill it up and hop in for a good soak.

22. Read A Fun Book

As someone who loves reading, it would be remiss of me to talk about self-care and not mention getting lost in the pages of a book. Reading is an excellent way to distract yourself even for a short while from the stresses of life.

23. Start A New Hobby

Summer is the perfect time to try new things. Photography, gardening, bird watching, hiking and swimming are a few hobbies which are perfect to start in the summer.

24. Listen To A Podcast

There are so many interesting podcasts available for your listening pleasure. I'm certain you will find one that you enjoy.

25. Do Something Nice For A Stranger

It may be surprising how much helping someone else will help improve your outlook on life. While facing our challenges it is easy to forget that there is always someone in a worst situation. A simple compliment can brighten someone's day.

26. Nurture Your Spirit

If there was ever a time that we needed to get closer to God, that time is now. Reading your Bible and praying more are excellent ways to connect with God and can vastly improve your overall mood.

27. Learn To Say 'No'

This may be a difficult one, but always being available to everyone can be physically and mentally draining. Saying 'no' is you putting yourself first for once and this is the main aim of self-care. Also, you don't need an excuse, just say 'No'.

28. Be Kinder To Yourself

It's no secret that we are our biggest critics. Most times we look at ourselves and we pick out all the things that we see as flaws and we beat ourselves up for not being perfect.  We are either too fat, too skinny, not light enough or not pretty enough. We often judge ourselves based on society's beauty standards which are quite limiting and end up feeling worse. The first step to being kinder to ourselves is learning to embrace our imperfections. A good practice is to look in the mirror each day and point out at least two things you love about yourself. These do not have to be physical attributes. When we find things to love about ourselves it will be easier to see ourselves positively.

29. Cry If You Want To

Don't be afraid to express your emotions. If things get too overwhelming crying helps. There are surprisingly several health benefits to crying. Ever notice, how good you feel after a good cry? This is because emotional tears are said to release stress hormones.

30. Do Nothing

I have heard this trending Instagram audio quote "Dolce far niente" which is an Italian saying that supposedly means "the sweetness of doing nothing". I agree with this quote because sometimes there is nothing more blissful than doing nothing even for a few minutes.

While we make the most of the longer days of summer, we should also make time to practice self-care. Taking care of ourselves will help us to enjoy the season even more.

How do you practice self-care during the summertime? Tell me in the comments below.

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