Summer Afternoon Self-care Routine
Summer is hands down the most draining season for me. Temperatures average around 95 ℉, meaning I’m indoors most of the day. I have to wake up super early to walk the dogs and make plans to walk them super late in the evening, and all to escape the heat. One great thing about summer is that it’s easy to eat healthily. I don’t have much of an appetite in the hotter months. I stick to fruits and mainly cold meals. However, working out can be a completely different subject.
I prefer to walk or be outside for my active part of the day, but summer is filled with elliptical workouts and YouTube videos. It’s great to have options for staying in shape, but the lack of sunshine and being outdoors wreaks havoc on my mental health during the summer months. It’s odd because I hear most people talk about how they thrive in the summer months, but I thrive the rest of the year.
If you’re like me, here’s a list of self-care tips to help us make it through the summer. If you love summer, save this list of seasons you feel off. (Most people feel bummed during the winter months.)
Wear clothes that you actually love.
If you live in a hot climate like me, you’ve probably thrown on a dress, romper, or something oversized to run to the store or walk the dogs during the warmer months. Ever notice a damper in your self-esteem when you do this? I do.
I’ve started going through my clothes and only keeping what I actually want to wear. I also now only buy clothes that I know I will wear on a regular basis and feel comfortable and confident in.
Visit a new place.
I’m indoors a lot during the warmer months (June-September). That’s half the year, so I can get a bit down and tired of my surroundings. I always make plans to travel to new places during the summer. This helps keep the dogs mentally stimulated and I don’t feel like I’m going stir crazy! We have so many fun adventures planned for this summer and I can’t wait to share them with you!
Redecorate your home with DIY crafts.
I’ve always loved coloring and painting, and now I’m learning woodwork. I’ve slowly been decorating my home over the past year and making it into my own. It’s my dream to one day have the home of my Pinterest dreams, so summer is the best time to work on those weekend interior projects.
Read a book or do some research on a fun new topic.
Maybe it’s the student in me, but I absolutely love research! I could spend an entire afternoon spiraling through Google and reading studies. Give it a try! You’ll learn so much and may even develop a new passion for one of the things you end up studying.
Become more observant.
Because it’s so hot outdoors, summer is one of my slowest seasons. My grandmother is a people watcher. We’d always sit and watch people go by at the mall or when we traveled and visited different stores. It’s her favorite hobby. We’d make up stories about their lives based on what they were doing and how they were dressed in that moment. I still do this when I’m bored and out and about. I’ve also become more observant of myself. The way I move, the way I speak, etc. I do the same with the dogs. It’s really fun to take a moment and analyze everyday life. We miss so many things. I really notice how much I miss when I’m editing videos. The dogs do some pretty hilarious things when I’m filming,
Do any of these ideas sound fun to you? Let me know in the comments. Summer gets pretty hot where I am, but I’m going to stay hydrated and keep busy, even if I am moving a little slower than usual.
Karyn, Maxx’s Mom
