You’ve committed to staying healthy this summer. You’re drinking plenty of water, trying to limit screen time at night, and getting in plenty of cardio. You’ve nailed the basics, but summer wellness goes beyond hydration and hitting 10,000 steps.
There’s a whole range of habits that don’t always get attention but can boost how you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally. These extra steps fill in the gaps that typical wellness routines sometimes overlook.
If you want to feel more rested, energized, and present this summer, keep reading for practical tips for your summer self-care routine, from taking charge of your mental health to upgrading your summer bedding.
Take personal wellness days.
You don’t need a travel adventure to use your PTO. Schedule at least one day this summer where the only goal is to not have goals. Sleep in. Binge your favorite shows. Or sit outside and do absolutely nothing!
These kinds of unstructured days give your nervous system a break from constant stimulation and decision-making. Think of it as preventative care. One recovery day can undo weeks of stress buildup and help you return to your routine more focused and resilient.
Stretch your muscles daily.
If your body feels tight or tense, chances are you’re not moving enough in small, intentional ways. Stretching just once a day improves blood flow, increases flexibility, and can even relieve everyday aches and pains.
You don’t need any special equipment. Roll your neck while your coffee brews. Do shoulder rolls at your desk or add a hip stretch before bed. Even five minutes is better than nothing. Stretching helps you feel more connected to your body. Over time, you may even find that greater flexibility helps you recover more quickly from intense workouts.
Upgrade your bedding.
Light sheets aren’t enough when the nights get hot and humid. If you’re waking up sweaty or tossing and turning, your bedding is probably trapping heat. SHEEX® bed sheets are different. Designed with SLEEP•FIT® Technology, SHEEX® summer bedding wicks away moisture and pulls heat away from your body through capillary action to keep you cooler as you sleep.
Cotton sheets can’t do this. They absorb moisture but don’t release it, which leaves you feeling sticky and uncomfortable. SHEEX® summer bed sheets actively regulate temperature to help your body cool itself naturally. You’ll fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, even on sticky summer nights. For even better results, get sleepwear for summer designed to keep you cool.
Use positive self-talk.
Summer can be brutal for body image. The pressure to look a certain way hits harder when you’re wearing shorts, tanks, and swimsuits. Combat that pressure with daily affirmations that shift your focus from how your body looks to how it feels and functions.
Saying things like “I’m proud of everything my body lets me do” or “I choose appreciation over comparison” can change your self-perception over time.
Say these affirmations out loud, in the mirror if you can—even if it feels silly at first. The goal isn’t to fake confidence. It’s to create new thought patterns (called “neural pathways” in the scientific community) that support your wellbeing.
Try cold showers or plunges.
Cold water immersion isn’t just a TikTok trend; it has real health benefits. Even 60 seconds of cold water at the end of your shower can increase alertness, reduce inflammation, and help balance your mood. If you’re sore after a long hike or intense workout, cold exposure may even help speed up muscle recovery.
When you’re feeling sluggish, the shock of cold water can boost circulation and dopamine levels. You don’t need a fancy plunge tub. Just switch your shower to cold for the last minute, jump in a cold swimming pool, or fill a bowl with ice water and dunk your face. It’s simple, quick, and surprisingly effective.
Protect your mental health.
Mental health deserves your attention year-round, but summer brings its own set of stressors—social expectations, disrupted routines, and travel fatigue. Thankfully, there are tools that can help keep your mind steady.
Set aside ten minutes for meditation or mindfulness each morning, or consider talking with a therapist or counselor about issues that are really stressing you. Take alone time when you need to recharge. Don’t wait for burnout to take care of your mental health. Prioritize peace so you can enjoy everything summer has to offer.
Keep a consistent sleep schedule.
Summer nights feel endless, especially if you live in the northern part of the country. Evening daylight can keep you up later than you’d like, yet you still may be rising at the same time each morning. Inconsistent sleep can mess with everything from your mood to your metabolism, so set a consistent bedtime, even on weekends.
Dim the lights an hour before you plan to sleep, and use blackout curtains or a silky sleep mask if the early sunrise wakes you up too soon. Invest in performance bedding that helps you sleep cooler throughout the night. Getting good sleep is a vital part of your summer wellness routine.
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Get into nature (and not just for workouts).
You don’t need to break a sweat to benefit from nature. Spend time outside doing nothing—sit under a tree or simply watch the clouds. This kind of slow, screen-free time lowers cortisol and calms your nervous system. And you only need to spend around two hours in nature a week to reap the benefits.
Being in nature gives your mind a break, so next time you’re tempted to scroll your phone indoors, try sitting outside instead. Even ten minutes can shift your whole mood.
Get SHEEX®: The Best Bed Sheets for Summer
Getting enough sleep is an essential part of your summer wellness routine, but to get truly rejuvenating sleep, you need a cool, comfortable sleep environment. SHEEX® summer bed sheets are engineered with cutting-edge technology that helps you stay cool through the night.
The moisture-wicking fabrics pull heat and moisture away from your body, so you’re less likely to wake up from overheating and more likely to reach deep sleep. Start building your cooling sleep system with SHEEX® mattress pads and cooling sheets, then finish your bed with cooling duvet covers, all-season comforters, and cooling pillows.
Let SHEEX® Own the Night®, so you can own your day.
