In this article: Tips to live your best life this summer, how to be proactive vs. reactive when it comes to summer planning, and making choices that best support your well-being in the summer.
I don’t know about you, but I am ready for summer! Summer can be a great time to get outside, plan new activities, and think about how you want to conquer the rest of the year.
After all, summer marks the halfway point of the year. There is no better time to check in with yourself and ensure your well-being is not put on the back burner.
While many associate summer with magical bliss, others stress over the heat and changing schedules. Let us not also forget summertime skin issues, sun-induced allergic reactions, and allergies.
Our eating habits may also change since we are expected to socialize more, and for those of us that work in a profession where our work hours vary, the new schedules can also throw us off.
You aren’t alone if you have been feeling irritable and down even though the summer months are upon us.
Here are 9 tips for living your best life this summer:
1. Begin by thinking about what you want your summer to entail
Summer fun looks different to every single one of us. Most of us know that seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can affect us during the winter months but did you also know that some people face seasonal depression in the summer? There are many reasons for this sadness.
Depending on where you live, the sweltering heat of summer can be oppressive and lead to migraines and insomnia. Because of this, many of us find ourselves indoors due to extreme heat.
With that being said, do things that will make you feel your best and bring you the most joy. Grab an iced coffee, and chill inside with a good book on your days off. If you know the hot days affect you, get yourself mentally prepared.
2. Seek out face-to-face meetups and gatherings instead of chatting online or scrolling
Getting together in person is much better for your health than communicating through texting or social media. If you feel anxiety about gathering again, know you aren’t the only one to feel this way. Begin with small outings and meet up with friends who support you. Only do the things that you feel most comfortable with.
3. Don’t compare your happiness levels to anyone else’s.
While others may be posting their perfect beach photos or poolside gatherings, remember you don’t always see the hundreds of other images and moments in people’s lives when life is not picture-perfect.
Don’t place unnecessary pressure on yourself to keep up with people’s filtered photos. If need be, skip the scroll for a while.
4. Maintain your fitness goals but don’t overdo it
If the weather outside is too hot and humid for your usual exercise routine, plan to complete your workout earlier in the morning or later in the evening. Stick to a routine that is consistent and maintainable.
Remember, you are more likely to succeed if you choose a plan that aligns with your long-term goals.
Don’t try to take on too much too quickly. Placing extreme expectations on yourself puts you in a box to fail. Small actionable steps will help you be your most successful.
Check out my tips here on how you can skip the gym and keep workout equipment on tap at home. A few of the items, such as the workout bands and yoga mat, are perfect to fit a workout in while you are on the go. I am the queen of using the bands in hotel rooms or when we travel to visit family.
5. Focus on the importance of your sleep
Since it stays light out longer, you may be tempted to stay up later. Try to ensure your schedule allows for at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night.
6. Eat Sensibly
More gatherings often mean more opportunities to have your regular eating routine compromised. Plan when it comes to parties. If you have found a particular lifestyle that aligns with your healthy eating habits, there is no shame in bringing a few food items to picnics or barbecues that help you stay on track. It can also help you avoid feeling guilty after attending.
Related: 12 Tips To Get In Amazing Shape For The Summer
7. Don’t Let The Pressure Get To You
If you typically host large family gatherings for July 4th or your children’s birthday parties and you don’t feel like you have it in you this year, remove the pressure from yourself.
Ask another family member to host, and don’t be afraid to move away from traditions. Gauge how you feel when it comes to upcoming events, and if you are feeling too overwhelmed, go ahead and give it a pass this year.
8. Allow yourself to say no
If you feel overwhelmed, don’t feel like you have to attend every event and party you are invited to. Your closest friends and family will understand, especially if it will compromise your well-being.
9. Find what suits you best
Many of us will be put in situations this summer where we will need to be around a group of people we may not know, but we are expected to be in a bathing suit.
These outings can put pressure on us, and we may not feel comfortable wearing a swimsuit. Take the time to find a suit, cover-up, or pool attire that makes you feel your best.
I am a big fan of finding cute suits on Amazon. I will even jazz up some of my bathing suits with matching earrings and let myself have fun with it.
Related: Functional Stylish Beach Bags You’ll Love
*Also, a little love tip, no one cares about what you look like in a bathing suit as much as you think they do; they are usually more concerned about how they look in a bathing suit.
Remember, summer will be what you make of it. Life is short, do the things that bring you joy and help you live your best life.
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