Okay, world, we love Halloween, too, but it’s only August. Let’s not rush these last beautiful moments of summer. If you spent the first half of summer ignoring your summer goals and binge-watching your fave shows on Netflix instead (it’s okay, no judgment here), there is still time to make the BEST of these precious summer days.
While we wholly support a good all-day-in-your-undies-crushing-five-seasons-in-one-sitting kind of attitude, we have some pro tips to live your best (and most healthy) life for the rest of the summer:
1. CATCH SOME ZZZZZZs
We are willing to bet you lost/sacrificed a LOT of sleep during the school year. (Does starting that paper or cracking a textbook at 11pm sound familiar?) Although you can’t really make up for lost sleep, you could cultivate some sweet sleep habits over the summer to get your body in a healthy rhythm. Consider starting a nighttime routine, like writing about your day in your journal before turning out the lights or using a lavender-scented lotion when you get into bed. Sooner or later, you will start to associate these little rituals with sleep! And we all need some sleep.
2. MOVE IT
This is one of the only times we’ll tell you to put down your book and get yourself moving (that’s why we have audio books, though wink wink). Dancing, walking, hopping, skipping, or jumping—all movement is good! Summer is so kind, it gives you more daylight so you can go for that walk you considered all day. Phone a friend for an old-school meet-up, and take a walk around the block! Remember how to ride a bike! Use those roller skates you forgot you own! Jump on YouTube and do a dance workout or yoga class! Getting yourself moving doesn’t have to be two hours at the gym or a forty-minute run—we’re not going for Rocky-status here. Just make it your own and make it something you look forward to.
3. GET YOUR ZEN ON
Have you ever tried meditation? If you’ve never tried or didn’t exactly love it when you did, we want to point out that there are tons of ways to meditate, and we encourage you to find the version that suits you! Meditation is essentially slowing down the spinning of your mind to focus on breathing and sometimes on words, sounds, and movements. We like this quick-and-easy guide to meditation!
4. HAVE FUN WITH FOOD
Busy school schedules sometimes mean stress eating, missing meals (especially breakfast!), or repeatedly eating the same thing for lack of time or energy. Now that you have some extra time on your hands, consider revamping your food life! Maybe try mindful eating, which is exactly as it sounds—being fully present as you’re eating, and making thoughtful decisions about when, how, and what you eat. Pay attention: How do you feel after you eat something? Tired? Groggy? Energized? Plan out some meals, try some new recipes, and get your friends and family to join the fun!
5. GET ORGANIZED
Poor time management can be a major mood killer. If you say yes to all the things and end up a zombie because your to-do list and schedule literally killed you, it might be time to organize your life differently. Summer can be a great time to look at your choices—try bullet journaling, use some new productivity and scheduling apps, and maybe even embrace the power of saying NO to overfilling your plate. Your calendar doesn’t have to be a work of art, but it can help!
6. PICK UP A BOOK!
There are some really freakin’ good books out there for you to get totally lost in. Plus, reading is just the BEST (not that we’re biased). Lucky you, we’ve got some killer suggestions to get you started:
