5 Ways to Prioritize Self-Care This Summer
By Kelly Smith, Master Practitioner in Clinical Counselling
Oh summer time - the one time of year Vancouverites can count on sunny weather. We shed our raincoats and Blundstones, emerging from hibernation in search of outdoor adventure and vitamin D. We re-unite ourselves with mother nature, our body and soul guided by the pull to be outside. We feel the electrical current pulsing under our skin - a pull to socialize, to cultivate and create, to do. We carry the renewed sense of energy forward from spring into the summer season with the urge to connect with friends and family, indulge in ice cream and fresh produce, and take advantage of the long days.
With the rush to get everything in before the rainy weather returns, there may be an added pressure to keep busy, participate in all of the events and activities, and experience all of the things this time of year has to offer. You may be asking how your calendar has gotten so full when you had every intention of slowing down and relaxing.
Maybe you’ve reached the middle of summer and are craving a different pace, realizing you’re burning out while the urgency to do it all gets louder and louder. Maybe there’s a whisper in the back of your mind telling you there must be a different way? What if I invited you to slow down enough to ask yourself what your mind and body need in this season? What if I told you that tuning into your needs and practicing self-care will balance out the rush and pressure of summer time? Keep reading to see how you can integrate self-care and slowing down into your summer.
Schedule Rest & Relaxation Time
Just like you’re planning all the events and activities, plan for some down time. Treat it like an important appointment you can’t cancel. With this time already booked, you don’t need to stress about trying to find room in your already jam packed schedule.
But what should I do during this down time? I thought you might ask, so here are some simple ideas:
Head outside with a picnic blanket and do whatever you usually do inside
Practice yoga or meditate
Put your phone away while you eat - actually focus on what you’re tasting
Try a craft or do a hobby you enjoy - let yourself be creative
Pamper yourself at home with a neck and shoulder massage or DIY mani/pedi
Move your body in a way that feels joyful
Eat Seasonally
Take advantage of the delicious produce available this time of year. From delicious berries and stone fruits, to leafy greens, cucumbers, tomatoes, and into the fall harvest of apples and brussels, there is something magical and grounding about eating something grown close to home. If gardening is your thing, it can feel rejuvenating digging your hands in soil and growing something yourself (indoor and patio gardens totally count!).
Reflect On Your Intentions For The Summer
What do you want for yourself this summer and what does it look like? Take time to think about your hopes and intentions for this season and take steps to re-align if necessary. Journaling and setting SMART goals are a helpful starting point if you’re not sure where to begin.
Practice Saying “No”
You can’t do it all. And that’s OK. Figure out what’s important to you and your household and politely decline the rest. Aim for quality over quantity. What’s the point in rushing from plan to plan if you’re going to end up exhausted, stressed out, and mad about it?
Looking for ways to turn down an invitation without appearing rude? Here’s what you can say:
“Thank you for the invite. Unfortunately we have another commitment and won’t be able to make it.”
“Our week is really busy and I need some down time that day. Let’s find another day to get together.”
“That sounds like a lot of fun. I’d love to join next time I’m free.”
Keep A Consistent Night & Wake Ritual
When we’re rushing out the door or coming home late, it’s easy to let go of our morning and night time routines. Consistency within our rituals and rhythms anchors our day, giving us space to feel grounded. A morning routine sets us up for a calm start to our day, while a night time routine allows us to wind down and prepare our body for sleep.
Morning ritual suggestions:
Calm your nervous system with deep breaths and moving slowly
Keep water in your bedroom to drink when you get up
Shake off the sleep with gentle stretching and movement
Refresh by doing your skincare routine or showering
Eat a balanced and nutritious breakfast
Put on clothing that makes you feel like yourself
Night time ritual suggestions:
Dim the lights and put away screens to avoid blue light
Have a nutritious bedtime snack
Wash your face and brush your teeth
Engage in a relaxing activity like reading or doing a puzzle
Change into pajamas
Take deep breaths or do a meditation before turning out the lights
Ongoing self-care and slowing down no matter the season
Self-care is a life long practice and the ease or difficulty to engage in it ebbs and flows throughout your lifetime. Creating self-care habits and rituals you can continuously draw on is a vital part of your well-being. Counselling offers solution focused and goal oriented strategies to explore and develop holistic self-care rituals that align with your needs and interests. The therapeutic and supportive nature of counselling ensures you are not alone on your wellness journey. Curious how counselling can support your unique journey? Book a free phone or online consultation and let’s talk.
KELLY SMITH, MPCC Clinical Counsellor
With over a decade of experience supporting parents and parents-to-be. Kelly’s approach is grounded in compassion and evidence-informed care, offering a safe and non-judgmental space to explore, process, and better understand your experiences. Integrating person-centered, solution-focused, and trauma-informed modalities.
Let’s connect for a free health strategy session at EvokeLife.co at the Pomme Clinic inside Pomme Natural Market in Port Coquitlam!