For many of us, getting the summer off is just a fond memory; unfortunately, the “no school for summer” rule typically only applies to children and college students, not adults with 9 to 5 jobs. That means that the summer season is all the more precious, and you want to squeeze out every last glorious gasp of summer while you can. So don’t hide inside staring at a screen from June through August! Open the shades, let the sunshine in, and have the best summer ever.
Take a vacation.
For starters, you can’t have the best summer vacation ever if you don’t actually take time off. Don’t stash away your PTO for some unknown reason. Use it! Even if you don’t have summer travel plans, take a staycation and enjoy the beautiful weather and laid-back vibe of summertime. Turn your out of office message on and try not to check your work emails. Even just a few days is enough to rest, recharge, and soak in some sunshine.
Make a summer bucket list.
Create a list of things you’d like to accomplish this summer: swim in a body of water, read a few summer bestsellers, run five miles without stopping, have a lemonade stand, pick blueberries, whatever! Get your children involved if you have them, but you can make your own bucket list too. Setting out a plan for summer activities gives you a jumpstart when you’re not sure how to make the most of the season.
Travel smart.
If you are hitting the road for a summer vacation, know that there’s no such thing as a perfect trip. Something will probably go wrong, and that’s OK! What you can do is plan as much as possible to avoid any obvious hiccups. For example, if you’re going somewhere where you know you’ll be doing a lot of walking, don’t pack a brand-new pair of shoes and risk blisters. If you know you’ll be outdoors most of the time, pack extra SPF and aloe in case of burns, as well as salve for potential bites, reducing the risk of last-minute drugstore trips.
Eat locally.
There’s nothing better than a fresh, bright-red summer strawberry, is there? Eating locally has so many benefits, including supporting local farmers and growers in your community, feeding your body tons of fresh vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, and creating delicious new salads and sides.
Take your multivitamin.
With so much going on, the last thing you want is to miss out because you’re feeling blah. In addition to all those delicious nutrients you’re getting from the farmers market, don’t forget your daily multivitamin even when the rest of your healthy habits take a summer break. Epresat® Adult Multivitamin is a liquid blend of seven vitamins, including A, B6, D, and E, in an energizing herb and fruit juice formula.* Easy does it!
Get in the water.
Swim. Kayak. Dive. Slide. Sail. Whatever you do, spend a little bit of your summer surrounded by or submerged in the water. It’s part of what summer is all about! It’s a wonderful way to spend time outside and connect with nature, no matter if you’re floating in the pool, jumping in a lake or the ocean, or feeling the breeze in your hair from aboard a boat. Even a kiddie pool in your backyard counts!
Find time to just be.
It’s easy to pack the summer with lots of trips, barbeques, concerts, and other must-do activities, but it’s also important to find time to just relax. The warm weather and long, sunny days are meant for unwinding, so take a break from the laptop, the tablet, and the phone, put on your comfiest and coolest summer clothes, and find a shady spot in your yard or a local park to enjoy the magic of the season.