Self-care is something we all forget about—until we push ourselves too far. We want to give you a new perspective on self-care as you continue to enjoy this summer.
Often, we see or hear that self-care is taking a bubble bath or taking a nap, which could be part of self-care for you. These are relaxing, but here when we talk about self-care we are not just talking about relaxing.
Another way to see self-care is taking care of your well-being. When we see the connection between self-care and well-being, we can recognize it as the foundation to have a life we want. This adds a new level of importance to taking care of ourselves and those we love.
When creating a summer routine, here are 10 things to consider incorporating into your life to support you and your family. When we take care of our well-being this makes us available to support others in their well-being as well.
1 - Sit out in the sun, don’t forget sunscreen
The most natural way to get vitamin D is by exposing your skin to sunlight. This can happen pretty quickly, especially in the summer. To get vitamin D, you don't need to tan or burn your skin. Your skin only needs to be exposed to the sun for about 12 to 15 minutes (about half the time it takes to burn the skin). The amount of vitamin D produced from sunlight varies based on the time of day, where you live, and the pigmentation of your skin. The more skin you expose to sunlight, the more vitamin D is produced!
2 - Throw water balloons
You can throw balloons at something, someone, or just on the ground. Adults don’t typically throw water balloons, so getting out and doing something new and festive can help break you out of a rut. It might also help you release some stress and frustration. You can also rally up the other adults and children in your neighborhood to host a water fight in your backyard. Arm everyone with water balloons, water launchers, squirt guns and embrace the shrieks of laughter from getting squirted with water.
3 - Fly a kite
This may seem like a strange suggestion, but getting a kite into the air is an accomplishment. Sometimes, even the little wins can go a long way in boosting confidence. Plus, it is a fun, light form of physical activity that could give variety to your exercise routine. There a kite flying you can join or kite flying festivals you can attend
4 - Stretch Your Legs
Even a 10-minute walk can help release endorphins in your brain, giving your body a break from fight or flight mode and giving you stress release and oxygen as you walk. If you don't want to walk alone, take the dog with you. They'd love to join you and help you find a sense of peace while you stroll through the neighborhood.
5 - Take a Trip, Even if it's Short
Traveling to a new place or a favorite fishing spot can help you mentally decompress from the everyday stresses in your life. Even if you are not able to leave the state or travel to that favorite fishing spot, going on a staycation can help you see your city in a new way and give you a break from the mundane.
6 - Discover a New Book Genre
Reading a book might still be challenging, but taking even a few minutes to focus on something other than reality can give you a break from well, reality. Discovering a new book genre can help you escape from everyday stresses as you travel to Gondor with Frodo and Sam on their epic adventure to destroy the ring that rules them all.
7 - Go Swimming
Even if it isn’t swimming laps, just moving your arms and legs in the water can be a stress-relieving, gentle workout. Swimming is a low impact exercise that can help your whole body become stronger. Have your family join in for an epic game of Marco Polo or see who can make the biggest cannon-ball splash.
8 - Call and Catch up With an Old Friend
Did you know that speaking with those you that you know and love can help your brain produce endorphins (happy hormones)? Talking with loved ones, either over the phone or face to face, strengthens connections and relationships, which is one of the best things you can do for self-care.
9 - Draw, Paint, or Use Sidewalk Chalk
When you are creative and use different artistic mediums (chalk, paint, crayons, etc.), it can help you utilize different parts of your brain than you typically don’t use in day to day activities.
The summer can be a busy or a slow time depending on your life and your circumstances. Regardless of your circumstances, being present and willing to take care of yourself is what will empower you to have an abundance of energy, love, and focus. Your well-being is on the line, so taking a few minutes a day, or every other day, is worth the time to get the needed to support you need in your life.
What other things will you be doing this summer in your self-care routine?
