Warm evenings, bare legs, and freckles on your nose – our favourite season has arrived, and we all want to get the most out of these upcoming months. And after months of isolation, it’s safe to say that there’s a strong desire amongst many to have a really fun, busy and outdoorsy summer.

With this in mind, these simple tips will hopefully help you make sure you’re looking after your mind and body in the best way possible, this summer. After all, in order to get the most out of those sunshine-filled days spent with the people you care about, you’ve got to make sure you’re feeling relaxed, energised, and strong.

LIVE IN THE MOMENT

We’re all guilty of getting caught up with making extensive summer plans and to-do lists – but it’s equally important to appreciate the beauty of unplanned days. It’s so important to enjoy the moment, rather than focusing on what exciting thing you should be doing next to ‘make the most’ of your time.

I love to take walks in nature as often as I can – preferably going on a run in the morning, and an evening walk after dinner each day). Being outside in nature is great for gaining perspective, clearing the mind, and reflecting. Taking time to appreciate the moment we live in right now helps to reduce our stress, boost our happiness, and improve our overall well-being.

BE GRATEFUL

Practicing gratitude is something you should start doing right now if you aren’t already. It doesn’t cost a thing and it doesn’t need to take much time either. Simply just think of what you already have in life that you are thankful for, and I promise you that you will notice a huge difference in your mental state and happiness.

Each night before I go to bed, I think of three good things that happened during the day, three things I am thankful for and three things I wish for to happen. That immediately improves my mood and I instantly become both thankful for what I have, and excited for what is about to come.

CREATE TIME FOR CALM

In order to calm my mind, I love to meditate for a few minutes before I go to bed, as well as stack up on good books. I’m sure I am not alone in saying that in day-to-day life, taking the time to read is something that I tend to forget about and not prioritise – often opting instead for a pre-bed scroll through Instagram.

Therefore, when busy summer plans are in full flow, I find setting time aside each evening where possible to read, a really great way to get away from screens, relax my mind, and foster a sense of calm.

READY YOUR BODY

If you’re spending a lot of time in the sun and/or the water, then using a hair masque three times a week is great for keeping your locks looking luscious. In addition, keeping dry skin at bay is key for handling the sun, so think about taking the time to really prepare your skin with a body scrub.

Other techniques worth looking into to ensure prime skin health are cupping – which helps get rid of cellulite, dry brushing – for stimulating the lymphatic system going, and infrared saunas – to make the skin clearer and to sweat out toxins (you can also read more about the health benefits of infrared saunas in my other article here) Of course, a hydrating body lotion or oil, as well as a sunscreen with high SPF are also both key for your skin both before and during the time in the sun.

GIVE THE FACE A BREAK

With the heat sometimes comes puffy and swollen faces. Rather than dashing for the contour, to naturally combat this, I love to use crystal tools, such as a Gua Sha in rose quartz, that I store in the fridge and then sweep over my face with some hydrating face oil or gel after a day in the sun.

I prefer not to wear that much make-up during summer, so two other quick fixes that I love to do is to tint my lashes and eyebrows at home, and give myself a really lovely manicure and pedicure. Doing things like this will help you to feel confident and put-together – but also enhance your natural beauty. 

NOURISH FROM WITHIN

What we choose to put in our bodies can play a big role in how we both feel and look. For added hydration and a healthy summer glow, adding some extra collagen and Hyaluronic acid to your diet can help a lot. I personally like to take them as supplements or powders that I mix in my morning smoothie.

To eat your way to smooth hair and soft skin, always make sure you’re drinking enough water, and opt for eating hydrating foods like greens as well as salmon and nuts, which are both rich in healthy fats such as omega-3. Including some extra antioxidant-rich foods – such as turmeric, acai, kale, beets, etc. – will also help your body fight sun exposure, while goji berries and chia seeds are also great for your skin, as well as the adaptogens Schisandra, Amla, He Shou Wu and Pearl.

Passionate about health and nutrition, Matilde Wergeland is a Holistic Health Coach in Stockholm at her own coaching clinic, Health by M, as well as being one of Nordic Wellth’s head Health Coaches.