5 Essential Summer Self-Care Tips
We’re getting into the summer months, and the weather should be starting to warm up. Sadly, that’s never a given here in the UK, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed. That said, now seems like a good time to remind you all, and myself, about 5 essential summer self-care tips.
1) Sunscreen!
No, I’m not going to burst into song! The main point of Baz Luhrman’s famous song is important, though. Wear sunscreen. Many people, particularly in the UK, think they only need to wear sunscreen on holiday or on very sunny days here in the UK. WRONG!
Even on cloudy days, you’re exposed to both UVA and UVB radiation. UVA penetrates your skin and causes wrinkles and premature ageing. UVB causes sunburn and can cause skin cancer. You’re actually in more danger on cloudy days because you don’t think about how much time you’re spending outside. The sun will still be reaching you and affecting your skin regardless.
If you are going to do just one thing for your skin, wear sunscreen. Not occasionally, either. Every. Single. Day. Yes, when it’s cloudy, or when it’s raining, and even during the winter months. You should wear a high factor; I personally use SPF 50 on my face, neck, chest and tattoo every day.
On very sunny days, take your sunscreen with you and reapply it regularly. Sunscreen doesn’t last all day, especially if you get sweaty.
If you struggle with your mental health a skin care routine can be soothing and a great form of self-care.
2) Show Skin
You are allowed to show as much skin as you want to, not just over summer but any time of year. It does not matter how old you are, what colour your skin is, what shape you are, or how much you weigh. If you feel happy, then get out there and rock whatever outfit you choose to wear. If anyone else doesn’t like it, to hell with them! You chose an outfit you felt happy in, so they can choose to look somewhere else.
So, if you need to strip off to feel cool, then go ahead.
Remember your sunscreen, though!
3) Wear What You Like
This is a continuation of point two. No one has the right to tell you what you can or can’t wear. There are SO many fashion “rules.” It’s even worse when you’re fat. People are just lining up to tell you what you should or shouldn’t wear. Sometimes even complete strangers. Here are a few:
- Don’t wear horizontal stripes
- Always wear a long top that covers your belly
- Don’t show your upper arms
- Dark colours are slimming
- Only slim people can wear body on dresses
- No crop tops
- DEFINITELY no bikinis
I used to follow them religiously and felt nothing but shame about my body. This was a waste of my time and my life. It’s a waste of yours, too, if you still follow them. Please ignore everything except how you feel in an outfit. If you feel amazing, that is the only thing that matters.
4) Get Into Nature
There are a whole host of health benefits associated with spending time in the outdoors, particularly in nature. Studies have found spending just two hours per week out in nature leads to:
- Improved memory
- Improved concentration
- Feeling happier
- Lower stress levels
- A boost to your immune system
- Some people even reported healing faster after surgery
Don’t worry, you don’t need to head out to the middle of nowhere unless you want to. Go for a walk in a local park, along a local canal, or even sit in your garden. Walking has been shown to increase nature’s effects even more, so take the chance to stretch your legs and soak up that vitamin d too.
5) Eat Whatever You Like
When the weather gets warm, many of us don’t feel like sitting down to hot dinners as we do in winter. For that reason, we see more salads, sandwiches, quiches and cold cuts. Don’t feel you have to change your diet, though. If you still want a roast dinner, a hearty stew or a filing pie, then have it! Your food is your business and no one else’s.
If you do want salad but enjoy fattening dressing, go for it. It’s you’re thinking longingly of a nice, cooling ice cream, go for it! There is no law that governs what we eat, when or how much. So please, don’t get sucked into the idea that you should eat salads because it’s summer. Or indeed that you should be trying to lose weight for summer! There is no maximum weight limit to enjoy your food or enjoy the summer.
6) Bonus Tip – Have Fun!
Yes, there is one more There is so much fun to be had in the summer. You can go for a walk, go to the beach, have a picnic, swim in the sea, have a barbecue, feel the sun on your face, go to a theme park, the possibilities are endless! If Covid taught us anything, it’s that life is too short not to enjoy life so get out there 🙂
