Supercharge Your Self Care This Summer in 6 Simple Steps

Summer is the perfect time to super charge your self-care. Even though our ‘to-do’ lists don’t disappear during this beautiful season, the light filled days always make everything feel a little easier, don’t you think?

So, if you want feel more serene than stressed this season, here are a few tips to get your started…

CULTIVATE KINDNESS
Even if you have a busy summer ahead, you can start to cultivate more kindness and self-compassion in no time at all. Start by observing the way you speak to yourself, are you using encouraging or critical language? For many of us, our self-talk is often negative, especially in stressful situations. When you hear it, pause and ask yourself how you would speak to a friend in the same situation. This can you to focus on positive words and finding a solution rather than allowing the stressful situation to become elevated. Here are a few more tips on cultivating kindness.

MORNING MAKEOVER
If your mornings often feel rushed, stressed or disorganised, then try giving them a makeover. Even if your ideal morning looks a lot different to your reality, there’s always a small change you can make to get a step closer to it. Start with simple ways that you can prepare the night before; choose your outfit, pack your bag and plan breakfast. They sound like small steps, but they decrease the number of choices you need to make and therefore make your morning flow a little easier. And, if you have a busy household, then try making it an evening ritual that everyone can get involved in.

RECHARGE OUTDOORS
Being outdoors helps to lift our mood, reduce stress and encourage a better night’s sleep. So, while the weather’s good, spend as much time outdoors as often as you can…see it as time spent recharging your batteries. Enjoy your morning tea or coffee outside and soak up the morning sunshine, take a short walk at lunchtime, eat outdoors, pack up a picnic on the weekends - even if you only eat it in the garden! Being outdoors feeds your soul and often costs nothing, so enjoy the beautiful light-filled days ahead.

SLOW DOWN
If you can, then try slowing down and being present with the people you love, because we only have so many summers together. To help create space in your schedule, try reducing extra responsibilities and re-schedule anything that’s not important. Not only does this create time but it also frees up mental space so that you’re not thinking of work while trying to enjoy time off.  

If you usually only find yourself slowing down on holiday but can’t make it this year then here are some tips on how to create that holiday feeling without leaving home.

REFUEL
Eating healthier in the warmer months is so much easier, don’t you think? Switch heavy comfort foods for lighter vitamin-rich dishes. Reduce your intake of processed food and nourish your body with fresh seasonal produce to naturally boost your energy levels. Try smoothies for breakfast to increase your fruit intake and swap caffeinated drinks for chilled water. No change is too small and they all help you move towards optimum health and wellness.

DE-CLUTTER
I believe that decluttering is a form of self-care because letting go of things that we no longer need encourages us to release the past and move forward. Most of us struggle to do that while surrounded by reminders of our past selves, old relationships and clothes that we’ll never wear again! Of course, it can be comforting to hold onto a few special things, but most of us hold on to more everyday things than we really need to.

Imagine this…there’s a queue of incredible things waiting to arrive in your life; a new opportunity, creative project or relationship and all you need to do is make space for them. De-cluttering is one way to create this space, doesn’t that make you want to get started?

Even if your clutter is organised, it still counts until it’s removed from your home. Please donate what is re-usable and recycle everything possible. Most importantly enjoy the process. When you’re done, try using our Home Cleansing Ritual Kit to energetically cleanse your home of stagnant and negative vibes.

So, are you ready to supercharge your self-care this summer? Take it one step at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed and to keep you motivated, just imagine how great you’ll be feeling by the end of the season.

AUTHOR: LEANNA DOOLIN

Co – Founder of holistic skincare brand, Pure Thoughts and advocate for women finding pause in their day to breathe deeply, give thanks and reconnect to what matters. Loves early mornings, dogs and books that you can’t put down.