Many of us are hoping to go on a holiday abroad this year – a week, maybe two, to enjoy the warmer weather before it’s time to start putting on those layers, getting out those deeply nourishing products and cooking up those toasty, comforting meals. More of us are opting for short staycations; heading away from the city and out to the countryside or coast, or even just making mini transformations to our homes to make them more like a haven. Whatever you’re choosing to do this summer, we’re here to show you that it can still be a relaxing experience; a few small steps can make all the difference to your physical and mental wellbeing.
OUR FAVOURITE WAYS TO STAY WELL IN THE SUMMER MONTHS
Having a quiet moment before others awake. The days are longer and we require less sleep so why not start your day earlier and make that first hour of the day your own? Taking time for ourselves sets us up for the rest of the day and remember, we are on staycation! There is no need to check in with work so firstly, put your phone, tablet, laptop etc. away. Try to have a complete detox from it all.
Continue with your exercise routine if that’s what you enjoy doing (we know it’s great for both our mind and body), go out for a walk, sit and meditate for 10 minutes, read a book or if it’s warm enough, sit outside with a cup of tea, paying attention to what you can see, hear and feel. As the evenings are longer, go out for a stroll after dinner rather than doing chores, watching TV or scrolling.
You might also like to read: Morning Routines That Make Your Day
Staying hydrated. We can actually get dehydrated when we sleep, so it is important to make sure we drink a litre of water in the morning to hydrate ourselves from the night before. Drinking plenty of water is vital to replenish the moisture we lose through the skin as sweat, going to the toilet during the night and even just through breathing. This earlier hydration hit helps our mind to wake up quicker. Did you know that about 75% of our brain is made up of water? So becoming even slightly dehydrated can have a negative effect on the function of our brain.
We also need to stay hydrated throughout the day so ensure that you are drinking lots of water – just like we often find ourselves doing when we’re in hotter climates. Water does have a cooling effect on our body and helps it to stay regulated, making it easier for the heart to pump blood. The gut becomes imbalanced if it doesn’t have enough water consumption, and our skin becomes dry and flaky. So drinking water will help to keep skin hydrated and flush out any toxins.
Packing our plates with more raw vegetables. Who wants to spend time standing at a hot stove, especially when the weather is warm? Not us! Generally, our appetites decrease due to the heat but it is still vital to ensure that our body is getting the nutrients it requires. At this time of year, we like to visit local farmer’s markets or even go to a ‘pick your own’ place, creating our very own rainbow of fresh fruit and vegetables. Raw veg is quick to prepare, packed full of enzymes, vitamins and minerals needed for good health and are full of water which helps us to stay hydrated. You will likely have more energy, improved digestion and better skin.
Eating our lunch outside in the sunshine. Natural sunlight triggers the body’s response to produce vitamin D, which is essential for our bones, blood cells and immune system as well as lifting our mood and reducing stress. Eating outside also gives us an opportunity to spend time in nature, which makes us feel reconnected and more grounded, ultimately helping us to feel more at ease and have a better night’s sleep. Remember to apply SPF to protect your skin, even if you’re only outside for a short time as this is when the sun is at its peak.
Simplifying our skincare routine as skin doesn’t need as much product. Whether we’re wearing makeup or not, it is still important to look after our skin. Skip foundation as this can feel heavy on the skin and can contribute to a breakout/clogged pores as it mixes with sweat and any excess sebum. Instead, try a tinted moisturiser as it provides a light, dewy finish on the skin. If you want a pop of colour, follow this with a cream blush on the apples of the cheeks.
For us, an essential product is a protecting and hydrating lip balm. Our lips and the skin around them are prone to sunburn so use a balm, gloss or lipstick with SPF. Tinted lip balms are our favourites as they just add that touch of subtle colour; then we finish off with a light mist of a refreshing setting spray.
Our skin sweats and more oil is produced during the summer, so continue to cleanse twice a day – using something lighter such as micellar water in the morning and then double cleansing at night to remove everything that has built up during the day. Swap to using a light-weight water-based moisturiser and SPF. If you do choose to go without makeup all day, just add a drop or two of our face oil (which is naturally rich in vitamins and antioxidants) to help seal in moisture. At night, gently massage our eye oil around the eye contour area for hydration and to boost circulation.
You might also like to read:
The Minimal Skincare Routine You Can Get Away With
Should You Change Your Skincare In The Summer?
Moisturisers With SPF vs A Separate SPF
WHAT ARE YOUR SUMMER WELLBEING TIPS?
We’d love for you to tell us in a comment below!
