Summer is a busy time of year. School break. College break. Vacations. House maintenance. Etc. There are so many ways we’re taking care of other people and things.

It’s easy to not take proper care of yourself with all those summer activities going on. To help you I have a list of 25 different ways you can take good care of yourself while enjoying your summer at the same time.

Proper self-care is important in the summer.

ONE – Get some sun

Sunlight gives your body vitamin D. This vitamin promotes strong healthy bones by helping your bodies absorb and use calcium. The deficiency of vitamin D has been linked to various kinds of cancer. Sunshine also lifts your mood making it good for your mental health.

TWO – Take a break from technology

Turn off your phone for a day. Take a break from social media for a day. Or set limits you can live with. For example, put your phone and iPad away for the first two hours of the day, or the last two hours of the day. Put them on airplane mode for one hour in the middle of the day just for a quiet break. You can include television in this if you like.

THREE – Playtime

Play a game. Play with a pet. Play with your kids or grandchildren. Play a sport. Play in a pool. Playing is having fun so it isn’t so much what you do to play but that you’re having fun. Adults need playtime. It’s easy to forget this. Playing is one of the most fun ways to take proper care of yourself.

FOUR – Encourage yourself

Talk to yourself kindly instead of negative self-talk. Speak words to build yourself up and spur yourself forward. Some call these affirmations. Other call them confessions. Put notes up around your house to remind you. If you have trouble with the idea of talking to yourself, get the book What to Say When You Talk to Yourself. It changed my life. Buy it here.

FIVE – Use sunscreen

Getting sun is important but getting sunburn is painful. Too much of the wrong kind of sunrays is harmful. There are a ton of different kinds out there. Get what works for you and protect yourself.

SIX – Be intentional

Summer is here and you undoubtedly have things you want to happen before it’s over. By being intentional to schedule or plan those important things you take care of your inner desires and will be happy come fall. If you need help making the most of your summer check out an article I wrote here.

SEVEN – Hydrate

If you don’t drink water at all, add one glass or bottle a day until it doesn’t seem like a big deal. Then add another. Where you live affects how much water you need. There are many flavored waters on the market you can use also if you find plain water too boring.

EIGHT – Move your body

Some would call this exercise, but you don’t have to go to a gym to benefit. It can even be fun. Talk a walk. Ride a bike. Do some yoga or Tai Chi. Dancing is a fun way to move your body. Mix this with play and you take care of yourself even better.

NINE – Daily gratitude

Do this simply or turn it into a fun project. Simply could be having a notebook and writing one thing down each morning that you’re grateful for from the previous day. For more of a fun project, you could have a “good things jar” as I have. How to make one here.

TEN – Make your bed

One simple task you can do early in the day to make you feel accomplished. Studies have shown this one little thing can alter your attitude and make you more productive. Such an easy way to take care of yourself.

ELEVEN – Quiet time

Taking time to be quiet can be through meditation or prayer. Mediation can be guided or quiet. The point is to calm yourself and relax your body and inner self. This quieting empowers you to think clearer and release stress. For help doing quiet meditation go here.

TWELVE – Connect with people

People need people. Humans are relational beings and we need connection. Call a friend. Go out for coffee. Schedule a meet up at the park with your kids or grandkids. Go to a public place to people watch and strike up a conversation with a stranger.

THIRTEEN – Read more

If you don’t read, start. If you do, increase. Read books, magazines, and blog posts. Reading is good for learning and entertaining.

FOURTEEN – Declutter

You don’t have to get rid of everything – take a breath. But clearing out just one cluttered space can alleviate stress. This can begin with putting things away after you use them. Or clean out a closet and get rid of what you don’t use.

FIFTEEN – Journal

Journaling is a way to relieve stress, clarify your thoughts, and understand yourself better. It’s also helpful to work through painful things, and track our emotional health.

SIXTEEN – Dream

Daydream. Imagine possibilities. Allow your imagination to take you on a mental vacation, to see yourself how you want to be, or go to places you want to go. Feed your good inner images.

SEVENTEEN – Increase healthy eating

Add something healthy to your diet. This could be adding a certain food. A fruit, vegetable or protein. It could also be not rushing through or skipping a meal.

EIGHTEEN – Remember you’re human

Give yourself grace. Forgive yourself for mistakes. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Give yourself time. Don’t try to be all things to all people all the time – it’s not possible. A reminder for you here.

NINETEEN – Conquer one bad habit

Just one. Pick the easiest one and you’ll feel successful. Then when you’re ready, conquer another. One at a time is how we succeed.

TWENTY – Feed your senses

Aromatherapy. Walk through a garden. Get out in nature. Take in the sights, sounds, and smells. Be aware of your surroundings.

TWENTY-ONE – Take care of your body

Go for routine doctor and dental appointments. Go to a chiropractor. If you suffer chronic issues explore other options like reflexology, massage therapy, acupuncture, hormone therapy…there are many others.

TWENTY-TWO – Take care of your skin

Your skin is the largest organ of your body. Protect it with sunscreen. Moisturize it with cream. Clean it with mild soap. Hydrate it by drinking water.

TWENTY-THREE – Laugh more

Laughing is more than fun. It’s soul therapy. Need help laughing more follow my Facebook page where I post a joke daily (example) or for more ideas go here.

TWENTY-FOUR – Get enough sleep

Set a bedtime so you get the sleep you need. How much do you need? Some need more than others. You decide. Some symptoms of sleep deprivation are moodiness, yawning, irritability, inability to concentrate or learn, lack of motivation, clumsiness, and forgetfulness.

TWENTY-FIVE – Vacation / Staycation

Refresh yourself. Get away or pull away. Take time for yourself. Take time for your family if you have one. Go away for a weekend. Stay at home and binge watch Netflix.

There are many ways you can take care of yourself this summer. Pick the ones you like.

WHAT NOW:

• Which one or ones will you do?
• Got another idea? Please share in the comments.
• Subscribe to my blog and get this Getting Started With Self-Care.

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Danielle Bernock

Author, Coach, and Speaker helping men, women, and organizations EMERGE with clear vision of their value, TAKE ownership of their choices, and CHART a path to their promise, becoming Victorious Souls who Embrace The Change from survive to thrive through the power of the love of God

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