Self Care Ideas For Summer With Anna

I’m Anna, usually found putting my creative energy into my parenting blog at intheplayroom.co.uk, but I also write a women’s lifestyle and wellness blog at onyourjourney.co.uk. That’s why I’m excited to be guest posting here on Sarah’s blog, sharing some of my favourite self care ideas for summer. 

Self-care is something very close to my heart. Whether you’re a parent or not, whatever you have in life that takes up a lot of your energy from work, to family members, to other obligations, we need to always make sure we keep enough to put into our own selves. I have noticed in life, that if we don’t look after ourselves no-one else is going to do it for us! 

So self care is not selfish, but long term it is really vital for our own well being and mental health. 

Self care is not just about a bit of pampering yourself but it is nurturing your soul, body, and mind to make sure that you are not running on empty. 

So, I’m excited to share with you my personal summer self-care repertoire, hoping to sprinkle a bit of joy and rejuvenation into your days. Self care is important all year round but I find that my self care practice or self care routine can look different in the summer months compared to the winter. 

1. Homemade Natural Body Scrubs and DIY beauty

One of my favourite summer rituals is creating my own body scrubs. There’s something profoundly gratifying about mixing natural ingredients to form something that not only smells heavenly but leaves your skin feeling rejuvenated. 

At On Your Journey we’ve shared a variety of recipes – from the sweet allure of cherry body scrub to the refreshing zest of vanilla coconut lime body scrub. Whatever ingredients you like best, the base of a body scrub normally follows the same principles so once you’ve mastered that, you can mix it up and keep it varied. (I’ve explained the principles here if you want to find out more)

Whatever type of DIY scrub you go for, they are perfect for scrubbing off the old and embracing the new, literally and metaphorically. 

2. Spending Time Outdoors

Never underestimate the power of the sun and fresh air to uplift your mood. It could be lounging in your garden, soaking up the sun, or taking leisurely walks in nature. Either way, the simple act of being outside is a powerful mood booster for me, and many people find the same. 

Let the warmth of the sun kiss your skin, breathe in the fresh air, and watch as the world around you vibrates with energy and life.

If I’m not able to get outside, then even just opening up all of my doors and windows is the next best thing, and still has a positive effect. 

3. Enjoying the Smooth Life with Waxing

This year, I took a leap and switched from shaving to waxing. It’s been a game-changer. Feeling smooth and carefree, especially when your legs are out for the world to see, or wearing a bikini at the beach, adds that extra bit of confidence. 

More than just hair removal; it’s a form of self-care that leaves you feeling polished and ready to take on the world.

Plus, no more shaving cuts, and no more daily shaving, both of which are a win in my eyes. 

I found a great salon near me, with a friendly waxer that makes us feel comfortable (I normally go together with my best friend) even when it comes to things like getting a brazilian wax on your period, so I don’t think I will ever go back to shaving. 

4. Outdoor Reading and Hobbies

Following on from just being outdoors, there’s a special kind of joy in taking your favourite activities outside. During summer, I really like reading and doing simple hobbies and things like paint by numbers and jigsaw puzzles in my garden. 

It’s a beautiful way to practice mindfulness, slow down, and truly relax rather than the typical rushing around and I find it leaves me feeling quite refreshed. 

5. Prioritise Time with Friends

For me, the warmth of summer always calls for good company. Spending time with friends becomes even more precious in these sunny months. 

It’s essential for our well-being to connect, laugh, and create memories, especially when the days are long, and the sun is out in the sky.

If it’s important to you to spend time with friends especially in the summer, like it is for me, then make sure you prioritise reaching out and planning some fun activities together. Don’t be shy to suggest activities that you want to do. 

Combining spending time outside and spending time with friends is an easy way for me to fill my cup up the most during the summer season. Things like going to the beach, or to the fireworks festival, or hot air balloon festival (all of which we did last summer) create long lasting memories that you can look back on and just feel more of the joy of life. 

6. Nourishing Your Body

Summer is the perfect time to focus on eating well and staying hydrated. Right now, I’m on a journey to reduce my coffee intake and start my mornings more naturally without coffee. Apparently, reducing caffeine in the mornings helps a lot with your cortisol levels and overall hormone levels, especially for anyone like me with PCOS. 

Emphasizing protein, cutting down on sugar, and drinking plenty of water are my other go-to strategies for feeling my best.

For me, I feel the benefits of this on both my physical health, and mental health, when I’m able to do it more consistently. If you’re managing hormonal changes, it can also be helpful to research the best supplements for pcos related symptoms and discuss them with your healthcare provider. Combined with balanced nutrition and consistent healthy habits, the right supplements may provide additional support for your overall well-being.

7. Practicing Positive Self-Talk and Affirmations

Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, is nurturing a positive dialogue with ourselves. Summer often means more time at the beach or pool, and it’s vital to embrace body positivity. 

Remind yourself of your beauty, inside and out, through affirmations and positive self-talk. It’s a powerful tool for self-love and acceptance and once we incorporate these into our daily routine you’ll find that thinking positively about yourself just becomes a habit, like second nature. 

In sharing these personal touches of self-care, I hope it inspired you to find your own ways of cherishing yourself this summer, taking care of yourself however works best for you. 

Thank you for allowing me to share a part of my journey with you. Here’s to a summer filled with sunshine, both literally and metaphorically!

Bio 

Anna Marikar is a full time blogger living in North Wales, passionate about self care and enabling women to live their best lives. 

Best known as a parenting blogger, she also writes at Onyourjourney.co.uk, together with her best friend Luciana Oliveira, focusing on self love and spirituality. 

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