With the summer season finally in full swing, it’s easy to get swept away with outings and plans. If you’ve ever felt utterly exhausted come September, you know exactly what we mean. Amid the excitement of the season, you somehow got swept away with events to attend and items to cross off your list and before you knew it, you were overbooked, overextended, and worn out.
Not this summer! We’ve got 10 tips and tricks for being more mindful this summer—and honoring yourself and your time—so you can slow down and savor the season for your best summer yet.
10 Tips and Tricks For A Stress-Free Summer
1. Don’t overschedule yourself
It’s tempting to say yes to every invite that comes your way during the sunny season, but booking yourself up Friday through Sunday all summer long will leave you drained and depleted. Before your calendar fills up, block some time off for just you, you and your partner, or your immediate family so you have some quiet time for enjoyment pre-reserved. And practice saying no to things that aren’t necessary or excite you in order to better protect your time. If you can get out of town on a weekend trip somewhere—do it—even if it’s just a few hours away. A change of scenery is a fantastic way to unplug and hit the reset button.
2. Select a few local events that speak to your heart
Look into summer shows, fests, and events that call to you. Explore local concerts, outdoor fitness events like yoga and meditation, movie screenings in the park, film festivals, art exhibits, farmers’ markets, and parades. For events specific to self-care, simply search “outdoor wellness events near me” to peruse everything from candlelight yoga, sound baths, bootcamps, new moon circles, and more.
3. Take up morning meditation
Morning mindfulness, through meditation, journaling, gratitude, and other spiritual practices have decades of science supporting their effect on instilling calm, reducing stress and anxiety, and enhancing joy. Select a set time to wake up every day and start out by making a hot lemon water. Next, spend five or 10 minutes meditating in a comfortable spot and then, if time allows, practice journaling five things you’re grateful for before heading into your day. This routine could even include a mantra component that you repeat several times before closing your morning ritual. Here are 40 powerful mantras to choose from. You can repeat the same one every day for a week or rotate. It’s entirely up to you!
4. Catch the sunrise and sunset from a new location
Taking in a beautiful sunrise from a new location or capping your day off by watching the sunset have been proven to enhance feelings of well-being. According to this study, tuning in to the natural beauty of sunsets not only boosts happiness but it also makes you feel more connected to yourself and your emotions. Do an online search for the best places to watch the sunrise in your neighborhood and you’re bound to come across a bunch of recommendations to try.
5. Host a pickling and canning party
Gather your foodie friends—or those that like to sip a summer sangria while you work—and host an end-of-summer canning event. With the mounds of fresh vegetables and fruits bursting from farm stands everywhere this time of year it’s the perfect time to fill your baskets with fresh, whole foods, stock up on Mason jars and canning supplies, and have fun preserving seasonal gems for the fall and winter ahead. You can quick pickle for immediate snacks or can for longer preservation. Try everything from traditional cucumber pickles, jams, garlic cloves, lemons, apricots, and beans. There’s a wealth of knowledge online for canning and pickling. Here’s one of many comprehensive guides that covers everything you’ll need to get started with canning this summer so that you’ll be able to enjoy your preserved goodies for the rest of the year.
6. Rent a projector and have a movie night in the backyard
Take movie night into the backyard! Rent or borrow a projector and set up under the stars for quality time with your loved ones and your favorite flicks. Hang string lights, arrange blankets and pillows, and set out snacks for an unforgettable night of entertainment al fresco.
7. Take your supplements
Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean that it’s time to let your nutrition and supplementation habits fall to the wayside. Au contraire! With so many activities and socialization, it’s just as important to keep up with your supplement routine in the summer months in order to support your immune system for all the fun in the sun you have planned. Supplements to prioritize are vitamins C and zinc for immune support, probiotics, a greens powder like Purely Inspired Superfood Greens, protein powder, omega-3s, vitamin D, magnesium, and B12.
8. Set up a desk and bedside essential oil diffuser
Aromatherapy has long been shown to be an effective aid for well-being. Set up a small diffuser in your work station as well as next to your bed to help boost well-being, calm anxious nerves, and lull you into a deep sleep. Oils to use are holy basil, lavender, and valerian. Also, try lavender, bergamot, chamomile, or frankincense.
9. Give back by volunteering your time
When you take time out to help people or a community in need, you’re not only doing them a service but you’re also benefiting your mental health at the same time. In a study of 70,000 participants who volunteered in the past year, those that donated their time reported better health and elevated life satisfaction compared to those who didn’t volunteer. The researchers also found a correlation between happiness levels and the frequency of volunteer work indicating that the more participants gave of themselves the happier they reported feeling.
Find a volunteer center near you to start exploring where your services might be of use.
10. Experiment with adaptogens
If you haven’t heard of adaptogens, they are compounds found in certain plants such as mushrooms, turmeric, ginseng, and herbs. One of the most popular adaptogens to date is ashwagandha, which supports stress tolerance and well-being. Consider supplementing with an adaptogen in a pill, powder, or liquid form to reap these benefits, but be sure to consult with your health care provider first.
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