As the next few months bring plenty of sunshine (hopefully!) and more dates in your diary, it’s important to continue to make time for self-care to keep your mind and body happy as you do more with your day.
Summer calls for outdoor adventures and long-awaited get-togethers, but saying “yes” to everything that comes your way without making time for yourself to recharge can be a slippery slope to unnecessary stress. Stress in summer? No thanks!
We’re diving deep into 5 ways you can get the most out of the season while keeping your physical and mental health in check, so you can be your best-self all summer long.
Go for a walk al fresco
Feeling good is a walk in the park – literally! Taking yourself out for a stroll through your local green space can do your mind and body a world of good.
Spending time outdoors is proven to lower stress levels, boost wellbeing and calm the mind, and when combined with nature, is a powerhouse for recharging your inner batteries.
Believe it or not, it’s possible to achieve ‘walker’s high’, thanks to the release of happy hormones, serotonin and cortisol, so if you’re feeling glum, it’s time to grab those trainers. Who says runners should get all the fun?!
Not only that, walking releases a chemical in the brain called BNDF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), which encourages the growth of new brain cells, leading to better memory. So you can remember all of your summer fun for years to come.
Pretty amazing for an afternoon stroll, right? Plus, with Love Parks Week just around the corner, you’ve got even more reason to get your steps in and pick up litter while you’re at it!
Read yourself happy
Whether you’re lucky enough to be going away this year or park sunbathing is what’s on the agenda, take along a great book to give your mind and eyes a break from the screen.
Atomic Habits by James Clear guides you through the science behind making small incremental changes to make positive habits stick. Great if you’re trying to wake up a little earlier or head to the gym more than once a year. (The struggle is real, we hear you!) Backed by science but written in an accessible way, Clear gently reminds you that change doesn’t happen overnight, but with a little effort and the infamous two minute rule, you can achieve big things.
Looking to reduce stress, improve focus, and find out what it’s really like to be a monk? Jay Shetty’s Sunday Times number one best-seller, Think Like a Monk, has been cited by Ellen Degeneres as “invaluable to anyone looking to improve their life and reach their full potential”. Sounds good to us!
Another best-seller, Big Magic, written by Eat, Pray, Love author Elizabeth Gilbert, is an explosion of creativity and wisdom. If you’re in a creative funk, this one’s for you, as Gilbert walks you through “the path to the vibrant, fulfilling life you’ve dreamed of”.
Lighten up those scents
Fragrance is a powerful tool to keep in your self-care arsenal. And while candles can add heat and sometimes feel more ‘winter cosy’ than ‘summer breeze’, room diffusers and mists can bring the holiday vibe into your home and welcome the new season stress-free.
Our scent suggestion? Opt for light, fresh ingredients to match your summer vibe!
Our Energy Diffuser is packed with zingy lime and orange essential oils, mixed with punchy black pepper to give your mind a boost, while our Renew Signature Room Mist helps to revitalise and refresh your space with ‘depression-busting’ bergamot, stimulating ginger and rosemary for mental clarity.
If you’ve got friends coming over for a much-needed catch up, spritz the air with our Friendship Room Mist to keep everyone feeling happy and connected. It’s got spearmint oils for balance, lemon for stress-relief, litsea cubeba for relaxation and yarrow, an uplifting natural oil that helps process emotion. Clever stuff!
For those summer evenings when self-care is due, wind down with the Calm Diffuser. Simply pop the reeds in the jar and enjoy a soothing mix of lavender, peppermint and ginger, great for reducing anxiety and inspiring your summer confidence. When it’s time for bed, spritz our Prayer Room Mist in your bedroom. This powerful blend boasts cedarwood, a natural deodoriser that helps relax the body, and frankincense, a magical oil that helps you drift off peacefully after a fun day in the sun.
Talk it out(side)
July is also Talk To Us Month, a campaign by Samaritans to encourage us all to talk to each other more about how we’re feeling day to day. And what better way to do just that, than by gathering your closest friends for a park meet up?
Summer is the season of picnics and outdoor dining, so set a date in your diary and make time to enjoy the company of your nearest and dearest with some great food and plenty of nature. Nisha from Rainbow Plant Life has a whole host of light and delicious recipes perfect for an al fresco feast, like this asparagus and green bean salad, full of vibrant, seasonal ingredients. If you want to up your game and host the ultimate summer soiree, we’ve written this post all about adding a little more luxe to your next social event.
Talking to someone that cares about you, and feeling truly listened to, can improve your sense of value, so grab your reusable cutlery, throw down the picnic blanket and let yourself feel loved. You deserve it!
Stay cool in the heat
Yes, summer is here! But we know we’re not the only ones that find an increase in temperature hard to bear when life continues to throw more and more curveballs.
To keep yourself cool and calm all summer long, refreshing eye pads that can be chilled in the fridge are the perfect antidote to a hot and sticky day. Just place them on top of your lids and sit back – you’ll find the only thing melting is your stress levels!
Opt for lighter fabrics like linen or cotton for your outfit of choice, and treat yourself to a beautiful handheld fan for a pop of colour and instant breeze.
Now all that’s left is to get out there and enjoy the summer! Tell us how you’ll be spending the season by sharing your snaps on Instagram and tagging us at @halcyonnaturalsuk. We love to see it!
Where we got our info
Mind: Nature and Mental Health
Prevention: The Amazing Health Benefits Of Walking Outside Every Day
Awkward Silence: 20 Benefits of Conversation