The energy of summer is all about positivity, growth and expansion, so what better time to nourish your mind, body and spirit than right now? Summer is the perfect time to try new self-care activities to get you feeling your absolute best.

As summer becomes more and more prominent around us, it’s normal to feel drawn to the warmth and joy the season provides us. We tend to enjoy being in nature, surrounding ourselves with its positive and uplifting energies.

We also tend to gain a more positive view on the world around us and experience life with a more easy-going approach. This energy of relaxation and rejuvenation makes summer the perfect time to prioritize self-care and brighten up our mental and emotional wellbeing.

What is Self-Care?

Before we take a look at summer self-care activities, it’s important to know what exactly self-care is (and what it isn’t).

Self-care comes in many different shapes and sizes, so don’t worry if your version of self-care looks completely different than traditional wellness practices (face masks, massages, meditation etc.).

Finding the perfect self-care practice is all up to you. Try out some new activities, find what works best for you and have fun while doing it! Only you get to decide what best nourishes your mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.

What self-care is:

• Taking some time out to evaluate and care for your wellbeing.

• Being aware of your body’s wants and needs.

• Engaging in activities that make you feel your best.

What self-care isn’t:

• Spending hundreds of dollars on the trendiest self-care products because everyone else is doing it.

• Being lazy and unmotivated and calling it “self-care” (self-care should be a healthy balance between working on your responsibilities while still being able to care for yourself.)
• Isolating yourself from the outside world for too long. (It’s great to go into hermit mode and spend some good old quality time with yourself, but don’t block out the world around you for too long!)

Self-care can be a social practice

Self-care isn’t always about engaging in solo activities. Sure, meditation, yoga and a calming face mask can be wonderful practices for when you need to reconnect with yourself, but don’t feel restricted by these practices.

Along with solo self-care practices, self-care can also come in the form of socializing and surrounding yourself with positive people. For example, going out with a friend or going to a new café could be considered self-care. As long as you’re nourishing your wellbeing, is doesn’t matter whether you choose to be alone or surround yourself with friends and family.

Self-care is ultimately about checking in with yourself and giving yourself what you need. Your wants and needs may change day by day, so make sure to tune into your body to know exactly what self-care activity is best for you.

Self-care activities for the summer

1. Go for a walk in nature

Going out into nature can be a wonderful self-care practice. Re-connecting with the world around you can help you to feel more grounded and aligned with life. This can be an especially enjoyable practice in the summer when you can enjoy the warm sun and fresh breeze.

2. Go on a picnic

Spending time in nature doesn’t always mean going for a walk. Going on a relaxing picnic can be just as enjoyable and helpful in re-aligning you to the present moment. You can either go by yourself or take a friend with you. While you’re out enjoying you delicious picnic, don’t forget to enjoy the uplifting energy of the sun, plants and animals around you.

3. Go to a farmer’s market

Going to a farmers’ market can be a great way to try out fresh seasonal foods and incorporate more fruits and veggies into your diet.

4. Deep clean your home

Summer is the perfect time for a deep, seasonal cleaning. Caring for the space around you is just as important as caring for yourself. If you have a cluttered home, it’s difficult to feel relaxed and at ease. When you let go of unnecessary things from your home, you invite new and refreshing energies into your life.

5. Create a new morning routine

Summer is a great time to incorporate new, healthy habits into your life. If you already have a morning routine, take a look at what you can change in order to refresh and re-new your life. Sometimes we find ourselves stuck in the same old routine, so try spicing it up with new and healthy habits.

Activities to add to your morning routine:

• Start a journal
• Start your day with gratitude
• Do a 5 minute morning meditation
• Mindfully make a cup of coffee/tea
• Watch the sunrise

6. Start a new hobby

Starting a new hobby can bring a burst of excitement and joy to your life. If there is anything you’ve been wanting to try, summer is the best time to start. Just as the world around you begins to come to life, now is the time to give your dreams and inspirations the boost they need in order to bloom and grow.

7. Have an at home spa day

Nothing says self-care like a calming spa day. While it can be fun to get massages and go to the salon, having a spa day doesn’t always have to mean spending money on a nice day out. Having an at home spa day can be just as beneficial in providing you with some much needed rest and relaxation.

Ideas for an at home spa day:

• Face mask. You can get pre-packaged face masks or create your own.
• Self-manicure. Nothing says self-care like painting your nails. Consider choosing bright and uplifting colors for a fresh summer theme.
• Green smoothies. Green smoothies are a great way to nourish your body and incorporate more fruits and veggies into your diet.
• Self-massage. Self-massages are a great way to take care of yourself and release stress and tension from your body all by yourself. If you’re not sure where to start, here’s a great article to show you just where to begin.

8. Start a journal

Keeping a journal during the summer can be a great way to keep track of all your summer habits and goals. It can also be a great place to brain dump your thoughts and find a deeper connection with yourself by using journal prompts and positive affirmations.

9. Create a summer bucket list

Creating a summer bucket list is a great way to try new and exciting things. Create a list of all the things you would like to experience and make plans to pursue them. Self-care doesn’t always have to mean quiet yoga or meditation practices (although those are great activities for when you need them) and can be just as exciting as it is relaxing. Maybe self-care looks like taking yourself to a new country or going sky diving. It all depends on you.

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Final thoughts

At the end of the day, self-care is all about your unique needs and wants. Anything that makes you feel good and nurtures your mental, physical and emotional wellbeing can be considered a self-care practice.

Because of summer’s bright and bold energy, it’s the perfect time to step out of your comfort zone and try something new while still taking care of yourself.

Try your hand at some of these summer self-care practices and pay close attention to the ones that bring a burst of positivity and happiness into your life. By nurturing your mental and physical health, you brighten your day and welcome more joy into your life (and who doesn’t want that?).