Summer is here, and with it comes sunshine, warmth, and that unmistakable feeling of freedom that’s been lingering in our memories since childhood. But let’s be real – between the sweltering heat, packed social calendars, and that pressure to “make the most” of every single day, summer can sometimes feel more exhausting than rejuvenating.
That’s why I’ve put together this list of summer self-care ideas. Not Instagram-perfect, impossibly aesthetic activities – but real, doable practices that have helped me feel more human during the summer months. Some days I manage just one, other days none at all, and that’s perfectly okay. Self-care isn’t another obligation; it’s permission to listen to what you actually need.
So grab your favorite cold drink, find a shady spot, and explore these ideas. Use what resonates, ignore what doesn’t, and remember – the true essence of summer isn’t packing in endless activities but creating space to actually enjoy the season.
For Your Body
1. Create a summer morning ritual that’s just for you Before the day heats up and responsibilities take over, I love having 15 minutes with my coffee on the porch. The birds are chirping, the air is still cool, and nobody needs anything from me yet.
2. Make a “too hot to function” plan We all have those days when the heat saps every ounce of energy. Instead of fighting it, I’ve embraced having a designated cooling spot in my home with essential supplies (books, water bottle, cooling face mist) for guilt-free recovery time.
3. Rethink your bedtime routine I don’t know about you, but sleeping in summer can be brutal. Experiment with cooling pillows, lightweight breathable sheets, or even taking a quick cool shower before bed to lower your body temperature.
4. Create a summer body scrub ritual Mix coffee grounds with coconut oil or make a simple sugar scrub with olive oil and lemon. The exfoliation feels amazing when you’re sweaty and grimy from summer activities.
5. Take a technology sunset break I’ve started putting all devices away when the sun starts setting and just sitting outside instead. It’s amazing how quickly my shoulders unknot themselves.
6. Learn the art of the “half shower” On days when I’m going in and out, sometimes a full shower feels like too much. A quick rinse of feet, face, and neck can be surprisingly refreshing without the full production.
7. Make friends with your feet Our poor feet take a beating in summer between hot pavement, sand, and more walking. A simple foot soak with epsom salts can be downright transformative after a long day.
8. Find your summer exercise sweet spot Full disclosure: I abandoned my usual workout routine last summer when my un-air-conditioned gym became unbearable. Instead, I discovered early morning walks and evening swims made movement joyful rather than punishing.
9. Create a “cooling station” in your refrigerator I keep aloe vera gel, face mists, and even occasionally sheet masks in the fridge for quick cool-downs that feel luxurious but take almost zero effort.
10. Make peace with your summer body Whatever that looks like this year. Buy clothes that feel good now, not after some imaginary transformation. Your body deserves to feel comfortable during the hottest season.
For Your Mind
11. Read a trashy novel with zero guilt Summer is when I give myself permission to read purely for pleasure. The more ridiculous the plot, the better.
12. Create a summer worry journal Something about heat and disrupted routines can amplify anxiety. I’ve found that dumping my worries onto paper before bed helps tremendously.
13. Find your “third place” Not home, not work – but that air-conditioned library, shady park, or quiet coffee shop where you can reset when needed.
14. Learn something completely impractical Last summer I spent way too many hours learning to identify cloud formations. Completely useless for my career, absolutely wonderful for my soul.
15. Plan dedicated daydreaming time Remember when summer meant endless hours just staring at clouds or watching bugs? Try to recapture that feeling, even for 15 minutes.
16. Try “worry scheduling” Rather than letting concerns interrupt your entire day, designate 15 minutes to actively worry about everything – then try to let it go until tomorrow’s worry session.
17. Create a sensory relaxation practice On particularly stressful days, I go through naming five things I can see, four I can touch, three I can hear, two I can smell, and one I can taste – summer makes this especially vivid.
18. Make a “summer wins” list Not achievements or goals, but tiny moments that made you smile – the perfect peach, a surprise breeze on a hot day, a child’s laughter at the splash pad.
19. Embrace productive procrastination Sometimes forcing focus is counterproductive. When I’m struggling to concentrate in summer heat, I’ll tackle a small, satisfying task instead of the big project – the victory often energizes me back to the original work.
20. Try morning pages Three pages of stream-of-consciousness writing first thing – no editing, no purpose, just emptying your mind onto paper. Somehow it creates space for creativity and calm.
For Your Home
21. Create a summer scent story Whether it’s certain candles, fresh herbs on the windowsill, or simulated stovetop potpourri, having your home smell intentionally good rather than like stagnant AC is an instant mood lifter.
22. Rethink your lighting Harsh overhead lights feel especially oppressive in summer. I’ve switched to string lights and candles in the evening, which somehow makes even hot nights feel magical rather than miserable.
23. Declutter one small space Last summer when my apartment felt suffocating, I emptied and reorganized a single kitchen drawer. The sense of control was surprisingly powerful.
24. Make a “summer station” by your door Sunscreen, bug spray, reusable water bottles, spare sunglasses – whatever you constantly need but can never find. The reduction in daily friction is worth the counter space.
25. Bring nature indoors Not everyone has a green thumb (I’ve killed more plants than I care to admit), but even a simple jar of wildflowers or interesting branches can reconnect you to the natural world.
26. Create a cool sleeping sanctuary Blackout curtains, cooling mattress toppers, or even just removing unnecessary textiles can transform your sleep quality during hot months.
27. Have a no-cook meal strategy I wasted too many summers feeling guilty about not using my CSA vegetables during heatwaves. Now I have a repertoire of meals requiring zero cooking that prevent both food waste and kitchen heat.
28. Designate a tech-free zone Even one small corner where phones and laptops aren’t allowed can become a mental refuge during busy summer schedules.
29. Make a “five-minute refresh” list Quick actions that make your space feel better: opening windows in the morning, wiping down counters, filling water vessels, fluffing pillows. When the whole place feels overwhelming, just do one.
30. Consider a seasonal altar Nothing elaborate or religious (unless that’s your thing) – just a small space with objects that represent what you want from this season. Mine includes shells, a favorite summer photo from childhood, and a tiny jar of sand.
For Your Soul
31. Reconnect with childhood summer joys Remember running through sprinklers? Catching fireflies? Eating popsicles that dripped down your arm? Give yourself permission to revisit these simple pleasures without irony.
32. Start a seasonal gratitude practice Each night before bed, I name three things specific to summer that brought me joy that day, no matter how small.
33. Find your “summer soundtrack” Create a playlist that captures how you want to feel this season. Mine ranges from Beach Boys classics to obscure indie tracks about sunshine – whatever evokes the emotional landscape you’re seeking.
34. Try forest bathing Sounds fancy, but it’s really just being deliberately present in nature. Find a shady trail, leave your phone behind, and move slowly, using all your senses.
35. Connect with water Whether it’s an ocean, lake, public pool, or simply running your wrists under cold tap water – our bodies respond viscerally to water, especially in summer.
36. Say no to something Summer calendars fill quickly. Choosing what deserves your energy becomes an act of self-preservation, not selfishness.
37. Cultivate summer friendships Some connections naturally align with certain seasons. My “winter friends” love deep conversations by fireplaces; my “summer friends” are spontaneous adventure partners. Both enrich different parts of me.
38. Create a summer giving practice Leave popsicles for your mail carrier, keep extra water bottles for unhoused neighbors during heat waves, or volunteer at a community garden. Giving often alleviates our own discomfort.
39. Make peace with imperfection Summer is fleeting, which creates pressure to make every moment count. Paradoxically, releasing that expectation often allows more joy in.
40. Document the ordinary beauty Not for social media – just for yourself. The way light filters through leaves, your child’s sun-freckled nose, the particular blue of twilight. These are the memories that will warm you in winter.
Remember, real self-care isn’t about achieving some picture-perfect summer lifestyle. It’s about listening to your needs as they shift with the season. Some days that might mean an ambitious adventure; other days it’s permission to hide in air conditioning with a good book. Both are valid ways to experience summer.
The most meaningful self-care practice might simply be releasing the expectation that you must maximize every moment of sunshine. Instead, create space to actually notice the season as it unfolds – in all its sweaty, glorious, imperfect beauty.
What summer self-care practices speak to you? I’d love to hear what helps you stay refreshed through the season!
