25 Simple Self-Care Activities to Enjoy Your Summer
Let’s be honest – Summer is the perfect time of year to come back to yourself and prioritize your well-being through self-care. All these longer days and warmer weather always come with an abundance of fun and simple opportunities that can help you nourish your mind, your body, and even your soul easily.
So here are 25 of my favorite self-care activities to help you make the most of your Summer:
1. Morning Meditation:
Start your day with a peaceful, soothing meditation session in the early sun – either in your backyard or even a local park. I find that cultivating the tranquility of the morning often helps in setting a positive tone for the rest of the day.
2. Nature Walks:
Nature Walks are always a fabulous idea. Why not go and explore local trails or parks? Taking the time to walk in nature is great for the mind as well as the body and can definitely help reduce stress and even improve your mood.
3. Beach Day:
If you have a beach near you – then spend a day there. There’s something magical and incredibly soothing about the sound of waves and the warmth of the sun on your skin. Make sure you do not forget your sun protection though! Protecting your skin is super important.
4. Picnic in the Park:
If you don’t have a beach near you (or even if you do) why not pack a healthy lunch and go out and enjoy it under a shady tree? Having a picnic is always a simple yet super effective way to wind down and enjoy nature and reconnect to yourself.
5. Gardening:
Whether you have your own garden or only a few potted plants, the simple action of gardening can definitely be an incredibly relaxing activity that will help you release stress and tension and focus on something that makes you happy.
6. Outdoor Yoga:
Although all sorts of yoga are great – outdoor yoga especially is a fantastic way to help you reconnect to nature and relax. For this, you can either join a local outdoor yoga class, follow an online session in your backyard, or even simply go to a park and have your own solo session.
7. Fruit Picking:
Summer is definitely the fresh fruit season! So going fruit picking is a lovely activity. Going to a local farm and picking some fresh berries or fruits is always a great way to spend your time, and you even get to enjoy fresh produce afterward – this one is definitely one of my happiest summer activities.
8. Reading:
Reading is a nice activity all year of course – but there’s something really nice about reading a good book in a comfortable spot outside. Reading is always a great escape and a way to relax, but in the early morning sun – and with your favorite drink? Nothing beats this.
9. Creative Hobbies:
Some people always get more inspired when the weather’s warmer, so why not try your hand at painting, drawing, or even crafting outdoors. It’s all about letting the summer scenery and weather inspire your creativity and have fun with it.
10. Swimming:
Swimming is one of the most agreeable ways to cool down and have fun when the weather’s hot. You can go and take a dip either in a pool, a lake, or even the ocean if you’re lucky enough to live near one. Besides, with swimming you even get some exercise done – which is always a nice bonus.
11. Bike Rides:
Another simple and fun way to stay active is to go for a bike ride, either around your neighborhood or a scenic trail. When I go for mine – I often opt to go early in the morning or in the evening to avoid being too hot.
12 Outdoor Music:
Listen to your favorite music while lounging outside – you can even make a party of it. Just invite some friends or family members.. Or maybe attend an outdoor concert instead.
13. Star Gazing:
What’s better than star gazing in life? So when it’s a lucky day and the night is clear, lay out a blanket and take the time to gaze at the stars. In my personal opinion, there isn’t a more relaxing way to end your day.
14. Camping:
Camping isn’t really my thing, but I know a lot of people who absolutely love it. So why not try and plan a camping trip to disconnect from your everyday life and immerse yourself in nature instead? There’s one great thing about camping though – the break from technology is always refreshing.
15. Farmers’ Markets:
Visiting a local farmers’ market for fresh, seasonal produce and handmade goods is always a good way to spend your time and have a nice reward at the end – fresh food for delicious seasonal recipes.
16. Home Spa Day:
Having a home spa day is always a soothing activity to add to your self-care routine – but taking the time to create your spa experience at home during the Summer, with a facial, bubbly bath, and even relaxing music to settle the atmosphere is particularly soothing. I personally love to use summer scents like lavender and citrus for this one – but you do you, and opt for what you love best..
17. Outdoor Journaling:
This point is like the yoga one. Journaling is great – but bringing the activity outside might be a great way to elevate your experience. I like to write in my journal while enjoying the outdoors. Besides, I find that reflecting while being in nature can be a very grounding activity that helps me feel more connected to both myself and the world around me.
18. Volunteering:
I know I’m always adding volunteering to all my list posts, but it’s because it’s truly one of the most rewarding and enriching activities one can practice in life. It’s all about helping people, being supportive, and volunteering for a local cause that’s meaningful to you.
19. Cooking Classes:
Eating is one of life’s most incredible pleasures, and so can be cooking. And taking a cooking class focused on summer recipes is a great way to add more fun to your life. Besides, you get to enjoy fresh and seasonal ingredients, and even discover and try new recipes you didn’t know before. So all the elements for a good and fun time (even though cooking can definitely be a bit messy sometimes).
20. Photography:
Photography is all about taking the time to pay attention to the world around you – either the scenery or the people. It’s about taking the time to capture the beauty of summer. And these days we don’t necessarily need a good camera – we only have to use our phones. And photography also encourages us to look at the world and see it from a totally different perspective than we usually do in our everyday life.
21. Bird Watching:
I love birdwatching – even if I’m not the most patient person and can’t do it for hours like some people can. But I just love spending some quiet time outside and just observing the birds. It’s a peaceful and meditative activity that always helps me relax and unwind.
22. Kayaking or Canoeing:
Enjoying your day on the water is really a key summer activity, so it’s no surprise that I added some paddling activities to this list. And these are other great and fun activities to help you be active and release some pent-up stress and tension.
23. Sundress or Light Clothing:
Wear light, comfortable clothing that you love and that makes you feel confident. Self-care is all about doing what you can to feel good about yourself, and wearing comfortable clothes that you enjoy and make you feel fantastic is a lovely way to accomplish this.
24. Outdoor Dining:
Have dinner in your garden, or on your patio or balcony (if you’re lucky enough to have one of those). Enjoying meals outside can make them feel special, even more so if they’re shared with people you love.
25. Staycation:
If you can’t go on vacation – then this one is a fun one. It’s all about planning a mini-vacation right at home. This is a fantastic way to help you actually disconnect from your work, relax, and enjoy your time off as if you were away.
Bottom Line
Remember, a successful self-care practice is all about taking time for yourself and doing things that you love, make you happy, and help you navigate life more easily and joyfully. So this summer, why not try to embrace the season by taking care of yourself and prioritizing your well-being while having fun with all these simple yet fulfilling activities?
As always, remember to be kind to yourself, have fun, and enjoy your summer!
See also: 50 inexpensive summer activities to enjoy your summer guilt-free