Summer is finally here! As we gear up for sun, the beach, and bonfires, there is also something we must remember to put first: self-care. We are all too familiar with the feeling of sudden sadness, the feelings of inadequacy and doubt. These feelings are often amplified by the pressures of summer. The pressure to be “bikini ready” and the pressures to always be ready to do things that you aren’t comfortable with under the guise of fitting in. We know there is no such thing as “bikini ready” because you don’t have to be a certain size to do anything that makes you happy. We also understand that sometimes life can get the best of us anyway, so we’ve compiled a list of 4 ways to take care of yourself this summer and still have the best summer yet!
- Go outside
The best thing you can do on your low summer days is go outside. You can take a walk or grab your iPod and listen to your favorite song while you soak up the sun. Even if you are tired, grabbing a quick shower and spending the day with the sun will be sure to wake you right up. Remember, be responsible and wear sunscreen.
- Plan a mini getaway with friends
Who knows you better than your friends? They can tell when something is off with you sometimes before you can. Planning a getaway with them will give you something to look forward to. When the weekend arrives, you’ll laugh harder and smile bigger than you ever have and you’ll come home thankful for it. I recently took a trip to Pittsburgh to surprise a friend and it was the best two days I’ve had in a long time! We went to the Pittsburgh Zoo (pictured above) and ate at Sonics, but we laughed loudly and genuinely from start to finish. The mini trip was exactly what we needed. A getaway is sure to bring you and your friends closer.
- Have a spa day
If you can’t afford a getaway, plan a night in. Go to your local drugstore and buy the $1 face masks, your favorite nail polish, makeup, and sparkling juice, and have your own spa day. If you want to get creative, you and your friends can even set up stations. Stacy can do the manicures while Alex does the pedicures and you can do the facials! The memories, good vibes, and happiness that comes from being around the people who know you best will be priceless.
- Read
There is nothing like grabbing your favorite book and a glass of lemonade and sitting on your porch to read. Whenever I’m feeling down, it’s nice to escape to another world for a while. You’ll find yourself so invested in a new world by the time you finish you’ll be ready to conquer your own.
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Photos courtesy of Google, Huffingtonpost.com, Getty Images and Shonda Moats
