Self-care is seasonal.
It isn’t something that should only be reserved for winter or for the weekends.
You need to be practising self-care all year round and at least once a day (even if it’s just for 10 minutes).
So welcome in some self-care this summer by prioritising activities that promote joy, creativity and being in nature while also invigorating your health, energy and well-being.
The summer of self-love
Self-care during summer is all about embracing the vibrant energy and beauty of the season.
As the days grow longer and the weather gets warmer, we find ourselves drawn to activities that allow us to be in nature.
We also learn to find joy in the simple things. Think waking up early and enjoying breakfast outside while listening to the birds and the light morning movement of the leaves.
Self-care in this particular season can also look like going on long nature walks or hikes, swimming, whether it’s in the sea or a lake, and exploring new outdoor adventures like camping or kayaking.
We savour the warmth of the sun on our skin and the coolness of a refreshing dip in the water.
It’s a season where we can prioritise our physical wellness by indulging in delicious and nutritious foods, staying hydrated and getting a much-needed dose of vitamin D (and a tan if you’re lucky).
Correct me if I’m wrong, but during summer, people generally feel happier and healthier. It’s a season of pleasure.
The warmer summer months can also signify a time for creativity and tapping into your inner child. This can involve engaging in activities you used to enjoy as a kid, like making your own jewellery, going on scavenger hunts or painting by numbers.
Summer self-care can also look like limiting time on social media and disconnecting from technology, as there is less need for us to be at home watching TV or scrolling through Instagram.
Another important aspect of summer self-care is taking care of your mental health and well-being.
Let’s not forget that summer is a super busy time full of summer parties, weddings and holidays, etc.
It’s essential that you continue to be mindful of your capabilities. This can involve slowing down completely, not taking on too much work and saying “no” to invitations if you really don’t feel like going. Dedicate time to doing the things you want to be doing rather than always doing what others want to do. Even if this is just a 3-minute break, where you sit in silence and do nothing.
You can also reprioritise your well-being by blocking any triggering content on social media that is pushing an unrealistic narrative like “hot girl summer” or “beach body ready.”
By taking the time to focus on your needs this summer, you can engage in self-care activities that allow you to boost your health, increase energy levels and leave you feeling invigorated and inspired for the rest of the year.
Self-care can be fun and sociable!
There seems to be a misconception that self-care is a solo practice.
A lot of the mainstream practices we see on social media, like meditation, yoga and setting boundaries, etc., require us to spend time on our own. To shut the doors on the world, switch off the outside noise, and just be.
But the truth is, self-care doesn’t always have to be about spending time by yourself indoors.
It can look like socialising with friends, being surrounded by nature, or even just spending quality time with loved ones.
Likewise, self-care doesn’t need to feel like a chore — it can be fun!
So loosen the grip on becoming your “best” self this season and embrace a different kind of self-care this summer. A type of self-care that encourages you to reclaim joy and rediscover your passions.
Here is an endless list of fun summer self-care ideas that get you out of the house, in the presence of people and in nature.
A quick note on fun
Remember, fun is subjective.
You get to define what fun means to you.
Do not subscribe to someone else’s version of fun if it does not align with you or your needs.
I have spent nearly two months in Bali, which apparently has a really great party scene, but in all honesty, I’ve only been out once. And even then, I didn’t enjoy it. I’d much prefer to have an early night and watch a movie with John on our balcony while eating some (healthy) snacks.
I don’t feel the need to go out to the bars or clubs (unless I’m in deep need of a dance), and that’s fine with me.
Trying new hip restaurants, going on a sunset beach walk, drinking a coconut by the sea and getting up relatively early so I can read by the pool is my version of fun.
So do you always — even in summer!
Stay true to who you are and don’t allow others to dictate your actions.
101 summer self-care ideas to try this season
From doing an ice bath and taking yourself on a solo date to making lemonade, here is an extensive list of self-care ideas and activities to fall in love with this season.
I encourage you to bookmark this post so you can refer back to it whenever you need to.
Summer self-care ideas for June
- Switch up your morning routine to embrace the longer days
- Expose yourself to the sun for 20 minutes every morning
- Make a seasonal fruit smoothie (watermelon and mint is my new favourite)
- Buy a reusable water bottle and stay hydrated all season long
- Spend the day sunbathing in the park with a good book
- Head on a nature trail walk and stop off somewhere for a homemade packed lunch
- Take up a new nature-inspired hobby like birdwatching
- Try a fun new fitness workout that requires you to be outside, like outdoor yoga
- Attend a comedy show or open-mic night
- Dance the night away in a jazz bar
- Create a fun, feel-good summer playlist that reminds you of summer all year round
- Organise a picnic with friends or family in a nearby park.
- Take yourself on a solo date
- Be a tourist for the day and go on a local city tour
- Head to a local street market or an outdoor food festival
- Eat guilt-free at your local street market or food festival
- Put on an audiobook and go on a “hot girl” hike – hot girl in the sense that it’s a sweaty one
- Go for a bike ride around your neighbourhood
- Lie in the park or garden and watch the clouds go by
- Make a flower crown with freshly picked wildflowers
- Go on a camping trip and spend the night under the stars
- Plan a weekend road trip with no set destination
- Try sleeping outside in a tent or on a balcony for fresh air
- Write a poem or song that reminds you of summer
- Take a refreshing dip in a nearby pool or lake
- Try making your own infused water with fresh herbs and fruit
- Use CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Mask to keep your skin hydrated
- Try a DIY hair mask to repair sun-damaged hair
- Have an at-home movie night with a summer-themed film
- Host a dinner party with a tropical theme
- Try a new summer cocktail (or mocktail!) recipe
- Learn a new dance style like salsa or bachata
- Take a journaling challenge for self-reflection
- Buy yourself a summer dress that makes you feel amazing
- Start a summer bucket list and tick things off as you go
Save these ideas on Pinterest for later
Summer self-care ideas for July
- Read a beach-worthy fiction book
- Or pick up Stay & Slay; How To Beat Burnout Without Quitting Your Job
- Go on a country walk and then relax in a pub afterwards
- Explore a local farmers’ market
- Try out a new recipe which is full of seasonal produce
- Make homemade bruschetta and pasta, and eat dinner al fresco
- Go wild swimming in a lake
- Visit somewhere you’ve always wanted to go
- Take a drive through the countryside
- Explore a museum or art gallery
- Join an in-person painting or pottery class to unleash your creativity (bonus points if it’s outside)
- Go on a guided meditation or sit somewhere quiet outside and do a seated meditation
- Attend a local summer festival or fair
- Head to an outdoor cinema and watch a classic movie showing
- Get yourself a Polaroid camera and go on an adventure
- Have an outdoor spa day (either DIY at home or professional in-house)
- Go on a barefoot walk along the beach
- Handcraft your own beach-inspired jewellery (anklets are super chic right now)
- Head to a viewpoint to watch the sunset – pack a blanket to keep your body warm and take your favourite drink to keep your soul warm
- Unplug from your devices for the weekend
- Go a step further and book an off-grid trip for a full digital detox experience (unplugged.rest have some great options)
- Take a spontaneous weekend trip to a nearby town
- Take a cold plunge in a pool or river for a natural energy boost
- Visit a botanical garden for a relaxing afternoon
- Try stargazing and learn about different constellations
- Ride a ferry or take a boat tour
- Take a paddleboarding lesson
- Experiment with making homemade popsicles
- Challenge yourself to a daily sunrise or sunset walk
- Try a watercolour painting session inspired by nature
- Buy a colourful journal and document your summer adventures
- Try journaling every day about the things you’re grateful for
- Declutter your wardrobe and donate summer clothes you don’t wear
- Treat yourself to a summer-inspired perfume or body mist
- Have a “yes” day where you say yes to fun opportunities
Save these ideas on Pinterest for later
Summer self-care ideas for August
- Wake up early to watch the sunrise and enjoy this peaceful time by yourself
- Practice mindful breathing exercises while sitting in nature
- Paint by numbers outside and feel inspired by nature
- Find an old piece of furniture and do it up
- Go strawberry or blackberry picking and make jam with your fruit finds
- Learn how to make your own herbal iced tea
- Take a trip to the beach and collect some seashells as keepsakes
- Swim in the sea while you’re down by the beach (the colder the water the better)
- Try kayaking or paddleboarding
- Go punting on the river
- Host a backyard BBQ or cookout for friends
- Make s’mores
- Take a nap in a hammock or find a cosy spot for some quality rest
- Ditch Google and explore a new area with an actual paper map
- Wonder the streets of a new city and just get lost
- Ride a bike to a scenic overlook and take in the view
- Book an outdoor-based experience like foraging
- Attend an outdoor concert for a band you’ve never heard of or an unusual genre
- Watch an open-air show or opera
- Go on a romantic evening stroll with a loved one or solo
- Learn how to make sushi or another fun summery dish and go to the park to eat it
- Make lemonade
- Take a long, cold shower
- Test out new hairstyles for summer (beach waves, braids, etc.)
- Challenge yourself to a no-makeup day and embrace your natural glow
- Treat yourself to a foot soak or DIY pedicure
- Try out a sound healing session outdoors
- Organise a late summer garden party
- Spend an evening just watching the stars with no distractions
- Buy a new notebook and start a summer-inspired journaling habit where you reflect on your experiences from the last 3 months
- Try out an outdoor bootcamp-style fitness class
- Plan a last-minute getaway before summer ends
- Take a day trip on a train somewhere scenic
- Take a nature photography walk and capture your favourite summer memories
- Get creative and put your summer snaps into a scrapbook
- Write a handwritten letter to someone special
Save these ideas on Pinterest for later
Final thoughts
It goes without saying, that these summer self-care ideas and activities are for inspiration only.
I don’t intend for you to do every single one but to pick and choose the ones that work for you so you can incorporate them throughout the month or season.
I also encourage you to test out these summer activities first before fully committing to them and adding them to your self-care routine. Because what works for me, might not necessarily work for you.
Put together your own self-care tracker to record which summer self-care ideas you enjoyed and which ones you would do again.
Rate each ritual out of 5 stars and ask yourself, “How did this activity make me feel?” If it’s a hell yes rather than a hell no, then add it to your self-care routine and get consistent.
I’m all about doing the stuff that works for you. Not one-size-fits-all BS.
You’ve got this.
Thalia xx
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