summer lovin' : 11 fun & simple ways to practice self care this season
Updated: Aug 6, 2020
This is me in one of my happy places, Akumal Mexico. Self care does NOT always (even mostly) look like this for me, but that's not stopping me!
IT'S SUMMER TIME! Bright skies and warm weather days are HERE. Something about this season just uplifts the corners of my lips a little extra.
If you're like me and everything feels a little more easy breezy in the summer time, it's easy to forget about self care. Don't worry, sister. I put down 11 fun + simple (plus free or cheap!) ways to sprinkle self care in flawlessly during the warm weather, like a topping on the perfect fro-yo.
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CREATE YOUR OWN SUNSHINE.
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Scroll down for 10 self care ideas during summer months!
1. UP YOUR WATER INTAKE + MAKE IT DELICIOUS
A GREAT habit to shift focus on for the summer is upping your water intake (bonus points if you carry this into the fall + winter seasons!). Drinking more water has positive impacts on ALL areas of our lives including allowing you to feel more energetic, curbing your appetite, preventing dehydration, fueling your organs + cells and SO. MUCH. MORE. Did you know that by the time your body begins to feel thirsty, you are ALREADY under-hydrated?
So set a goal for drinking more H2O and have at it (I've always found it best to just DIVE into my increased water goal ... day 1 all in!). Make your water even more delicious by infusing it with fruits and herbs!
2. SLEEP IN A FEW TIMES
Lady...yes you can! Treat yourself a few times this season and sleep in! I always like to plan this the night before so that my husband makes sure to get up with our son, and so that I can make sure the scene is set (I love to diffuse a calming essential oil like lavender bedside the night before, make sure that my blinds are closed and put on a sleep sound like the ocean or rain).
3. GET OUTSIDE. FOR EVERYTHING!
Take advantage of the gorgeous temperatures and bring your favorite self care outside. Curl up with a book, take a break and look at the clouds, add in a daily walk, go for a hike, get to the ocean, eat outside, play outside, watch an outdoor movie. The list goes ON. Self care + vitamin D is a winning combo. Lather on your favorite SPF and have at it.
4. MAKE A SUMMER PLAYLIST
Put together some of your favorite feel good songs and cue your first track up! Music is so good for your soul and music in the summertime offers the perfect soundtrack to your good vibes. Create a few fresh warm weather playlists (one for summer road trips, one for your meals outdoors, one for chill time or rainy days, etc) and enjoy!
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GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE SUN.
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5. TAKE A MID-DAY NAP
(This one is especially glorious on a rainy day.). Feeling slugish? Take a break. There is nothing like dedicating the time for a nap on a tired day, whether it's 10 min or a couple of hours.
6. TAKE YOUR MEDITATION OR YOGA PRACTICE OUTDOORS
If you have a regular meditation or yoga practice, try it outdoors this week. Whether it's rising with the sun, a moonlit practice or a mid-day break, taking your session outdoors can make it all that much more special. You'll notice different distractions then what come up indoors, but roll with it and enjoy the sounds of nature.
7. MAKE DELICIOUS POPSICLES
Grab some coconut water, your favorite fruits and herbs and freeze them together for a hot day retreat. They're easy, affordable and delicious. My favorite refreshing popsicle recipe for this season is Hibiscus Minty Watermelon Popsicles by Half Baked Harvest.
8. WHAT'S YOUR WORD?!
Do you love to come up with a word of the year around the New Year? Take some time to think back to your word and where you're at with it. Since we're just about 1/2 way through the calendar year when summer hits, it's the perfect time for reflection, to re-instate some habits and intentions, or to decide on your new word for summer!
9. FRESH GREENS
Bring the outdoors in by placing some flowers or plants around your home. Science says that have indoor plants is GOOD for you, improving concentration and productivity (by up to 15 percent!), reducing stress levels and boosting your mood. I'll take two!
10. TAKE YIN YOGA AT HOME
We tend to be a bit more on the go when the weather is warmer. Counterbalance your fun schedule with down time at home. I offer several livestream yin yoga classes throughout the week (they're donation based, so pay what you can!) and would love for you to join. If you've taken yin before, YOU KNOW - and if not, you're in for a treat...yin yoga is perfect for any level yogi and is an essential way to wind down and tap into your parasympathetic nervous system. A home practice is just divine when it comes to yin. Although I love classes in person, my preference is to practice yin a home. I can create the perfect calming space for me and don't need to drive afterwards when I'm yinned-out! Reserve your spot in one of my yin classes HERE and I'll see you on your mat!
11. CHECK OUT SOME FRESH NEW RECIPES
I love to experiment with new-to-me super fresh recipes for my family in the summer time. From smoothies and green drinks to start my day (you can check out my favorite super food mixes HERE and use code MOONRISE for 15% off - I literally add these mixes to every meal!) to nutritionally packed healthy salads and meals full of fresh ingredients, I am constantly cooking fresh, especially during the summer months.
I have a favorite new bruschetta recipe that I put together and my my husband DEVOURED. Make it this season for a super tasty outdoor appetizer :
Fresh Bruschetta (Vegan)
Ingredients :
1 Thinly sliced baguette
3 medium sized fresh tomatoes
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 clove sliced garlic
2 tablespoons fresh basil (or if you're like me you could go crazy and add even more)
(optional) 1 teaspoon YourSuper Super Green - I add this to pack this even more nutritionally
Directions :
Place your sliced baguette pieces on an oven tray and toast those babies up.
Combine all other ingredients (I like to do this ahead of time and let the mix sit in the fridge for about 30 min to really bring out the taste).
When you're ready to serve, spoon your mix onto your toasted bread and viola! Literally the most simple and fresh tasty treat (warning you might eat all of it. Not even kidding one little bit).
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I hope that you love some of these simple summer care ideas! Let me know your favorite ways to practice self care in the warm weather!
Stay wild summer child, Namaste.
Love, Jenny
ps ... love these tips? I would LOVE it if you would pin this to come back to, or share with a friend!
Don't forget to sign up for my SUNDAY SELF CARE JOURNAL here!