Setting Summer Goals: Tips for Improving Your Lifestyle
Setting Summer Goals?? From nourishing and moving your body, and learning to decompress, read these tips for improving your lifestyle during the summer season!
Summertime is in full swing and what better way to ring it in than by setting some summer goals. Now is the perfect time to sit down and see how you can implement some simple changes to your lifestyle. Maybe you’ve finally determined that this is the summer you are going to relax and rest by the pool. Or perhaps you’ve decided that this summer you’re going to get in shape by starting a new exercise routine. Whatever your plan is this summer, take the time to improve yourself and your habits. Check out some tips and suggestions below!
Nourish Your Body
One of the best things you can do for your body is to fuel it with nutritious foods. For some, eating healthy is an everyday practice. For others, their diet might slip a little bit, which is okay. A good rule of thumb to follow is the 80/20 rule. The 80/20 rule is when 80% of your meals, snacks, and drinks are on the healthier side of things. For example, these are your whole foods, organic foods, unprocessed products, and foods with less artificial sugars and flavors. The other 20% of your diet would be made up of less healthy foods, like desserts, alcoholic cocktails, pizza, and more. This rule is great to follow because everything is in moderation. You can still eat your favorite foods and also eat healthy overall.
Following the 80/20 rule opens up the opportunity for you to try out lots of new recipes. From breakfast to lunch to dinner, the possibilities are endless! You can even learn how to make smoothies for a mid-morning pick-me-up or some protein balls for an afternoon snack. If you’re new to cooking, this can be intimidating, but learning to cook is one of the best skills to have. Try out some basic recipes to include in your meal plan. Basics can go a long way and are always a favorite. Enroll in a cooking class if you aren’t confident enough to just start whipping together some recipes and need a little more guidance. Taking a cooking class is an easy way for you to learn the basics of cooking. You might start to enjoy cooking once you’ve learned the fundamentals.
Not only will you want to implement a functional and effective diet, but you’ll also want to be consistent with your water intake. During the summer months, temperatures can get high, so it’s very important to drink plenty of water. Stay hydrated by always carrying around a water bottle. According to the Mayo Clinic, an adequate amount of water a man should intake is 15.5 cups a day and for a woman, 11.5 cups a day. Start off your day by drinking a glass of water and have one at least with every meal. This might be challenging at first, but you’ll be satisfied once you quench your thirst.
Move Your Body
With the warm, delightful summer weather, it’s the perfect time for you to get outside to do some movement. Enjoy nature and the fresh air by taking a walk through your community or by joining a yoga session from your lawn. When it comes to exercise, a lot of people can dread it. Most people think exercise has to include high-intensity workouts or running for what seems like hours on end. This isn’t the case, however! Exercise can include any form of movement that gets your blood pumping, sweat dripping, and heart rate up. Enjoy the movement you do, don’t force it. Whatever you do for physical activity, be sure to get in about 20 to 30 minutes a day.
If you’re new to working out, go on this journey with a friend. Sign up for a class together like line dancing or cycling. Doing this with someone who will support you will motivate you to keep showing up. This also gives you time to socialize with others and possibly make new friends. Group classes aren’t your thing? That’s okay! You can join a local gym or try some at-home workouts. There are many online resources and videos for you to learn from. You could also purchase workout equipment for your home. If you’re passionate and enjoy cycling, purchase a stationary bike for home! This is perfect for busy moms who want to get a quick workout in before the day begins.
Rest, Relax, and Destress
Summer is the optimal time to relax. The weather is ideal to enjoy by sitting out near the pool or the beach and it’s the best time to spend extra moments with your family. However, even spending time with the family can get a bit stressful. With all the free time some people might have during the summer months, it’s easy for your social meter to fill up quickly. Therefore, set limits on things that drain your energy and schedule some alone time. Find some time in your day and set it aside to practice meditation or write in a journal. Both these methods are great for allowing yourself to release any built-up tension, stress, or anxiety. You could even write in your journal what you’re thankful for, some positive things that happened that day, or anything that you want to remember. Write what comes to your mind in your journal, don’t hold back.
Trying to balance everything can be a lot. If you find yourself overwhelmed and overloaded with stress by having the kids home during the day or having too much on your plate with chores, you can start to build up some anxiety. Eventually, your anxiety could become too much and affect your quality of life. You don’t want what should be a relaxing summer to turn stressful. You may find anxiety is starting to impact the way you interact with others, including your family. If you know that you need professional help and would like to put some coping mechanisms into practice, consider online anxiety treatment for convenient care and support. Soon you will be able to manage your anxiety and stress and be able to truly rest, relax and decompress this summer.
Expand Your Knowledge
Summer is known for no school work and some time off from learning. But that’s for the kids, not you! Expand your knowledge this summer by learning something new. Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn a different language but never knew how to and didn’t know when to start. Start now and use a language learning program to help you. In addition, you could also pick up a new hobby. For example, try reading. An easy way to get into reading is by simply reading ten pages of a book every night before bed. You will slowly get into the habit of reading before bed by doing this. There are so many different genres of books out there, from self-help and improvement to thrillers, to fiction. Choose your favorite and get started. Books can help you learn new skills, see things from a different perspective and even immerse you in a good storyline. Take a trip to your local bookstore or library today!
Self-care comes in many different forms and improving your habits and lifestyle is definitely one of them. Take care of your mind, soul, and body this summer. Be sure to actively participate in accomplishing your goals, but don’t forget to take some time to rest. Summer has just begun so take this opportunity to improve your lifestyle and make effective lasting changes.
