Mr. Golden Sun: Summer Self-Care Ideas
Me when the sun is FINALLY shining and summer is finally here! >>>>>>
There’s truly nothing like it.
As the summer sun shines brightly, this time of the year is perfect for self-care. Whether you’re looking for fun, or time to recharge and unwind, the summer offers a unique opportunity to practice self-care in a variety of fun yet affordable ways. Here are some fantastic ideas to help you take care of yourself this season without breaking the bank.
Safe Practices (Physical Self-Care)
This wouldn’t be a summer self-care list without recommending that you spend time outside. What’s key here is that you spend time outside SAFELY. No matter your race, ethnicity, or skin complexion, sunscreen is important (especially if you plan to spend prolonged time outside). Of course, spending time outdoors is one of the simplest ways to boost your mood and well-being. However, it's crucial to enjoy the sun safely:
Use Sunscreen: Protect your skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen. (The UC Davis Health system recommends at least SPF 30.)
Wear a Hat and Sunglasses: Shield your face and eyes from harmful UV rays.
Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated. (Of course, talk to your doctor, but pick a daily water goal that works for you!)
Body Movement (Physical Self-Care)
The warmer the weather, the more likely I am to spend time outside. We all know that exercise (whatever that looks like for you in this stage of life) is an important part of self-care. Here are a few low-key and inexpensive ways to move your body outside this summer:
Walking or Jogging: Grab a friend or family member and go explore your local parks or neighborhoods. Make it fun by creating a list of all the parks in your area and cross off each park as you visit.
Hiking: Find nearby trails and immerse yourself in nature. Practice mindfulness (while being cautious of your surroundings) for an extra touch of self-care!
Cycling: Dust off your bike, grab your helmet, and enjoy a scenic ride.
Yoga in the Park: Bring your mat to a park and practice yoga under the bright sun and open sky.
Summer Reading (Mental Self-Care)
Reading is such a fun and inexpensive way to practice self-care. Not only does reading offer a form of escape and immersion into another world, you also strengthen your mental skills and expand your category as you read. Of course, reading is always a great way to relax and unwind. Use the summer to dive into books you've been meaning to read:
Visit Your Local Library: Borrow books for free instead of purchasing them. (Have you heard of Libby? You can get a local library card, download Libby, and borrow audiobooks!)
Join a Book Club: Connect with others and discuss your favorite reads.
If you need inspiration for your summer reading list, check out my reads and reviews on Story Graph!
Mindful Gardening (Physical and Emotional Self-Care)
They (I mean honestly, who is they) always say that gardening is a therapeutic activity. I don’t know who “they” are, but there’s two things that I know (1) gardening is a great way to beautify your surroundings, and (2) nature is beautiful. I love visiting nurseries to look at the beautiful plants and flowers that call out to me to take them home.
Here are a few ways you can practice summer self care through gardening:
Plant a Small Garden: Yes, grab some dirt and start a garden! Plant flowers, herbs, or even vegetables.
Community Gardens: Many neighborhoods have community gardens. If starting your own seems overwhelming or you don’t have enough space, look for community gardens where you can rent a plot.
Container Gardening: You can also use pots and containers to start your own garden if you're limited on space.
Water Activities (Physical and Social Self-Care)
All of my fellow water lovers know that water, lakes, oceans, etc. are an essential part of summer self-care. Let’s talk self care options involving water:
Swimming: Grab your friends and visit a local pool, lake, or beach.
Water Parks: Admittedly, water parks can be a hit or miss. If a good water park is nearby, plan a visit this summer.
Picnic in the Park (Social Self-Care)
I haven’t been on a picnic in YEARS and it’s my mission this summer to change that! Picnics are fun and a great form of self-care as they often involve good company, food, and the sun. Here are a few ways to practice self care by picnicking in the park:
Pack A Good Lunch and Snacks: The food is one of the most important parts of the picnics! You can also save money by preparing your own food.
Bring a Blanket and Games: No picnic is complete without a blanket. But don’t forget to bring some games, a good book, etc. to help you relax and unwind.
Creative Hobbies (Emotional Self-Care)
Exploring and cultivating our creative hobbies within us is an important form of self-care. Our hobbies can be therapeutic and relaxing, like taking a gulp of water after a long walk in the humid heat. Take a moment to think about how you can cultivate your creative hobbies this summer.
Needs some ideas an d inspiration:
Drawing or Painting: Go to your local craft store and buy some art supplies. Then get outside and draw. (If you live near a Michael’s be sure to Google some coupons to use before you check out!)
Photography: Capture the beauty of summer with your camera or smartphone. If you follow me on Instagram, then you know that I love to post different pictures of flowers that I see throughout my summer days. Get outside and capture the beauty that summer has to offer.
Mindfulness and Meditation (Spiritual and Mental Self-Care)
Summer is a perfect time to cultivate mindfulness practices! On my most stressful workdays, I like to escape the monotony of grey-colored cubicles and palpable stress by getting outside to get some sun. It’s an inexpensive way to refresh my mindset and simply RELAX. Here a few summer self-care practices:
Meditate Outdoors: Find a quiet spot outside (or my favorite, near water!) to meditate and connect with nature.
Practice Deep Breathing: While outside, use your favorite breathing exercises to relax and center yourself. Reconnect with yourself.
Gratitude Journaling: As you’re basking in the sun, reflect on what you're thankful for in that moment.
Explore Cooking (Physical Self-Care)
Eating and dining can definitely be a form of self-care! Summer is the perfect time to enjoy fresh and healthy foods:
Visit Farmers’ Markets: Buy fresh produce, support local business, and try new recipes.
Smoothies and Salads: There’s nothing more refreshing in the summer than a cool smoothies or a great summer salad. Try new recipes this summer!
Grilling: Experiment with grilling vegetables, fruits, and lean proteins.
Summer is a season of warmth, relaxation, and renewal. This summer, I want to challenge us to adopt try new self-care habits that will allow us to enjoy the best of what summer has to offer while also taking care of our physical, mental, and emotional well-beings. Remember, self-care is not a luxury but a necessity!
What summer self-care idea do you want to try? Comment below!