Days are longer, days are warmer and days are lighter. Heatwaves are being widely talked about on the news. I’m spending more extended periods in Morrison’s because of their air con. I’m eating Rocket lollies on the hour, every hour. Underboob sweat is becoming a regular occurrence once again. It’s official, Summer is here. I do love Summer, sometimes the heat is a little unbearable and stifling, but it’s still a gorgeous season.
More than ever, self-care at this time of year is important. However, sometimes it can be a chore to carry out any self-care acts when it’s too hot and humid. If you’re struggling to carry out your normal self-care routine during the Summer months, maybe it’s time to switch things up and adapt your routine to make it apt for Summer.
I think it’s especially important to do self-care in the Summer as your body needs to be taken care of. The heat can have a negative as well as a positive impact on your physical health. For me, Summer has always had a huge, positive impact on my mental health. Summer just makes me happy and being able to get outdoors more is so satisfying and freeing.
I’ve been thinking of how I can adapt my routine for Summer and the self-care ideas I can implement into my self-care routine.
Here are the Summer self-care ideas I’m adding to my daily routine:
1) Going out for a walk
As I said before, going outside more is so refreshing in the Summer. Being able to enjoy the sunshine and giving my skin that much-needed Vitamin D is so nice. When it’s not TOO hot, I like to outside for a walk, particularly in the morning when the temperature is at a reasonable centigrade. It doesn’t have to be every day, just 2-3 times a week is more than enough.
2) Eating fresher foods
Eating hot meals in the Summer feels like a gargantuan task. It feels like I’m eating next to a volcano that just erupted. I tend to either eat snacky meals more during Summer. But I like to eat fresh fruit and salads and it makes me feel so much better. It’s a good way to get my 5 a day (that doesn’t really get talked about much nowadays) and it makes me feel a lot better within myself.
3) Update my skincare routine
This is something I am doing this Summer. I’ve never really changed or slightly adjusted my skincare routine for Summer. The only thing I always do every Summer is slathering the SPF on my skin like there’s no tomorrow. I would rather keep my skin protected from the rays than go around looking like the Welsh version of Donald Trump. But I’m buying acne products ready in case I break out because of sweating etc. Sorry for the TMI.
4) Spend days in nature
Whether it’s the park or beach, I want to get out to nature more this Summer. I’ve not visited a beach since before the pandemic in Brighton, so I’m aiming to drive to either Barry for a seaside stroll or Penarth for a walk down the pier. If I don’t feel like driving to the beach, the park will be my alternative. There are plenty of local parks to walk through in my local area, as there are for you too. So pack a picnic and have a day of food, laughs and flicking ants off the picnic blanket.
5) Taking advantage of the longer days – but slowly
What I mean by this is try and do more tasks in my day – but at a slower pace. I don’t want to be rushing around completing tasks and getting myself all sweaty. I’ve adapted my to-do list so I only do things that are needing to be done that day. If it’s a task that can wait, rather than rushing to get it done, I’ll leave it for another day. There’s no point looking like a red, sweaty mess just because you’ve put ironing on your to-do list for Tuesday.
6) Making sure I keep hydrated
Hydration is SO important in the Summer. Your body needs it to keep going. Buy a new reusable water bottle and keep it topped up! I’ll be looking online for some ways to jazz up my water. Maybe add a slice of lemon or some sliced strawberries at the bottom of the bottle. A little flavour goes a long way!
7) Adjusting my exercise routine
I still exercise during the Summer for health reasons which you’re more than aware of. But when it’s 27 degrees, the last thing I want to be doing is sweating my buns off on a treadmill. So I’ll be adapting my exercise routine for the Summer by either walking at a slower pace on the treadmill and/or starting my workout earlier when it’s a cooler temperature.
8) Socialise IRL rather than online
I want to get away from my phone for as much of the Summer as possible. I want to start socialising with others IRL than just tweet them on Twitter. It feels easier for me to not automatically reach for my phone in the Summer. I like to enjoy the warmth, brightness and happiness of Summer with loved ones.
9) Blog outside
Blogging is like a form of self-care for me. Writing my thoughts down on paper or typing them online is very relaxing and therapeutic for me. Rather than couping up indoors with the fan on full blast with the laptop, I want to start taking a notebook outside in my garden and getting thoughts down on paper.
10) Buy some fresh flowers
I love having fresh flowers in the house. This British Summer Meadow bouquet from Haute Florist is just the perfect bunch of flowers to display in your home this Summer. The sunflowers, orange lilies, purple allium and gypsophila really symbolise what Summer is all about – vibrance and freshness.
