“Summer is a state of mind.” – Unknown
Summertime is upon us as we are nearing the midway point for 2026. Does the quote above resonate with you? Summer is a special season that brings many of us a different feeling. What a great time to pause and think about how your year is going. What are your summer plans and what needs stand out for you as we sail through mid-year? This time of the year is different for everyone and yet it seems to carry a universal undertone: the need for relaxation, recreation and vacation! Perhaps it is a true calling for us all in one form or another! Seemingly this is a suitable time to reflect on self-care, personal growth, and actionable steps for cultivating a general sense of well-being. Let us consider a variety of ways to embrace opportunities to embody a ‘summer’ state of mind by prioritizing mental health and RELAXATION!
Summer fun could include going for a walk, washing the car, going out for a picnic, tending to a vegetable garden, visiting a farmer’s market, historical site or festival, spending time at the park, or cultivating creativity with a fun tropical punch or making a yummy frozen dessert. That is one great thing about this subject! Everyone is unique and may seek out activities and options that work well for themselves and their own unique circumstances. Self-care goes beyond fun and takes into account wellness at a whole new level.
Self-care may include numerous aspects of our personhood: physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, personal, and professional. Most importantly, self-care is about empowerment, stress-management, wellness, and increasing contentment and life satisfaction. It is about attending to needs, tuning into how things are going, exploring and understanding feelings, and taking actions that are aligned with health and well-being. It may be useful to take stock of where you are in life right now. How do you feel you are doing in these different areas of your life? From there it may be useful to consider what you may want to add to or even take away from your routine through this thought exercise.
One great resource on Self Care by Dr. Zoe Shaw, titled A Year of Self-Care: Daily Practices and Inspiration for Caring for Yourself has great points to ponder all year long. The chapters for the summer season focus on the following themes: encouragement, purpose, and discipline. These are terrific topics to consider when it comes to self-care and wellness. Here are a few suggestions taken from this resource that can help you think about your own self-care routines and potential ways to step up your own self-care game!
- Be mindful of your internal dialogue and how you speak to yourself – shower yourself with encouragement and self-compassion
- Consider taking time to meditate or just being still – practice being calm, centered, self-accepting, and present; work on cultivating a greater sense of awareness
- Find joy & practice gratitude! – focus on cultivating joy and looking for good things both around and within you
- Just dance – play one of your favorite tunes and allow yourself to dance and sing
- Try something new – get out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself to try something new
- Consider your own sense of purpose and reflect on how you currently engage in this area – consider greater ways that you can be of service to others – look for opportunities to help or contribute
- Explore – be open to new experiences and consider ways that you can stretch yourself outside of your usual comfort zone
- Consider areas that you may wish to deepen yourself and your knowledge base – seek out opportunities such as joining a class that interests you, taking lessons, or taking part in a group activity
- Social media fast – think about taking a break from social media and plan to spend that time doing something constructive and uplifting
- Ask someone you care about to get together for a fun outing or activity
- Move! – find ways to incorporate movement and exercise into your daily routine
Self-care is an important topic for well-being, and it is well worth taking time to consider. Take a pause this summer season to reflect on your own self-care practices. Keep in mind that self-care is not one size fits all. Discover what works best for you! Now, go and make a splash with some summer fun!
Additional resources with useful ideas for self-care :
- https://mentalhealthfirstaid.org/news/15-activities-for-your-summer-self-care-checklist/
- https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/21-tips-for-amazing-summer-self-care/
- https://www.charliehealth.com/post/tips-for-a-great-summer-summer-self-care-tips
References:
Shaw, Dr. Zoe (2021). A Year of Self-Care: Daily Practices and Inspiration for Caring for Yourself. Rockridge Press.