Treat yourself to these summer wellness tips

Summer is finally here and what better season is there to re-evaluate our lifestyles and see whether we have fallen into any not-so healthy and happy habits.

Now is the ideal time to make the most of the longer days that daylight savings brings and hopefully bask in some warmer weather (wearing sunscreen, of course!).

Both those things are sure to have many of us feeling energised and in the mood to move more which is always a good thing.

Let’s take a look at a handful of ways we can focus on summer wellness.

Explore nature
We are blessed with where we live surrounded by gorgeous coastline, rivers and rainforest. Why not put on some walking shoes and explore the many tracks and trails that are just waiting to be discovered? The Surf Coast Walk is a magnificent place to start and offers a world-class walk that can be split into 12 distinctive trails. Move at your own pace while discovering ancient Aboriginal traditions, fascinating surf culture and native wildlife along the 44km stretch between Torquay and Aireys Inlet.

Take a class
Is there a hobby you would love to take up but just seem to keep putting off? Give yourself permission to ‘seize the day’ and book into your first class. Whether it is a creative pursuit such as pottery or soap making, a mindful pursuit like yoga or meditation, or perhaps something more adventurous such as abseiling or freediving – you might just discover a lifechanging or fulfilling new pastime that brings you great joy.

Practice self-care
There is something about summer days and nights that helps us to feel more positive so why not harness those happy vibes and reward yourself with some well-deserved self-care? Try to set aside time every day, even if it’s just 15 minutes, and dedicate it to activities which improve your physical and mental health by offering relaxation, inspiration, detoxification, or increased connection to yourself and those you love. Maybe take a nap, have a bath, get a massage, start a new skincare regime, unplug from devices and enjoy a quiet cup of tea, do some gardening, go on a picnic, colour in or paint-by-numbers, call a friend who makes you laugh, swim in the ocean, watch a favourite movie or look through your recipe books. The options are endless depending on what fills your cup.

Stay hydrated
Keeping up your fluid intake is an obvious one but super important to avoid feeling lethargic, stressed and dehydrated. Don’t wait until you are feeling thirsty to drink. Instead, keep a bottle or jug of water on hand to sip from throughout the day. Women should aim for two litres (eight cups) of fluid while men should aim for 2.6 litres (10 cups) each day – maybe more if you are particularly active that day. If you want to mix things up, add some fresh fruit to your water or try a cold tea infusion which come in delicious flavour combinations such as peach and passionfruit, raspberry and cranberry, or watermelon, strawberry and mint.

Take control
The festive season, new year and summer months in general can get hectic so it’s important not to overcommit. To avoid feeling overwhelmed or burnt out by an overly busy social calendar, feel empowered to say no sometimes and thank yourself later for prioritising your own wellbeing. On the flipside, make time for the things – and people – you love who will make your summer memorable for all the right reasons.