How To Actually Feel Good This Summer (Not Just Look Good)

Often you hear of people starting their fitness journey in the summer, hoping to achieve that perfect “summer body”. But social media has rotted the confidence that summer can bring, stereotyping what your summer should look like. Well, what if we focus on what summer should feel like? It’s important that you take this season at your own pace, and realize this is the time for you to become comfortable with yourself and your time. Here’s some tips for how to not just look good, but feel good this summer. 

I’m going to break this season of wellness into four categories: energy, mental clarity, connection, and confidence. Each of these can be vital to your summer wellness, but you may not really understand how. 

Energy

The shining sun may trick you into thinking you have more energy, but I often find myself actually dragging more when the temperatures start to rise. The heat can drain you of hydration and make it seem like a one-mile walk is more like ten. Water will be your best friend for the next three months. And remember not to push yourself too hard. If you are doing an outdoor workout or just laying in the sun, listen to the signs that you may be overheating. 

It’s also important to maintain a balanced diet so you can keep your body fueled with energy. Listen to your body when it tells you that you’re hungry, and try to stick to healthier, whole foods that can make you feel sustained, rather than heavy snacks that will drag your energy levels down. Try to find some new recipes you can cook for yourself and turn healthy eating into a fun activity! 

Mental Clarity

These months are the time to reset your mind. You’re done with the semester and likely going home to family. Allow yourself to rest without feeling guilty or lazy. Rest is one of the most important things in maintaining our wellness, and it doesn’t make you unproductive. Summer is the best time to not think about what you have to do next and just live in the moment. 

Use this time wisely, though. While rest is really important, it doesn’t have to mean just laying in bed all day. Start that hobby you’ve been thinking about for months. Or take some day trips with your friends to surrounding areas that you’ve never experienced before. Take this time to do all the things you never had time for during the semester, and feel yourself clearing that space in your mind. 

Connection

As we travel back home for the summer, it won’t be long before we’re sick of our hometown. It’s easy to fall back into high school habits and forget all the progress you’ve made since then. Connection is such an important part of our college summers because we are shifting from seeing our friends every day to spending a lot of our time alone. 

Stay in touch with your college roommates and friends. Text someone at least once a day to fill that hole that opened when you stepped off of campus. If you have any friends that live close by, visit them once or twice throughout the summer. Or if you’re feeling up to it, travel to see that one cross-country friend! Just make sure to nurture the connections you’ve made on campus, even if you aren’t right next door. 

Confidence

Like I mentioned earlier, social media has totally warped our idea of the “perfect summer”. We often compare our bodies and our experiences during this season. Try to avoid comparing yourself to those around you and those that come up on your feed. Find comfort within yourself and your experience this summer. 

Just because a friend from college is taking a really cool trip and you aren’t doesn’t mean you can’t have the best summer ever, too. Also, avoid negative thoughts about how you look this summer and take the time to appreciate the body you have and all it’s able to accomplish. As we focus more on how we feel this summer and less on how we look, try to reinforce confidence in yourself. 

This very warm, very freeing season comes with quite a few stereotypes. Take these next few months to find who you are without the noise from everyone else. Enjoy your summer how you want to and focus on the feelings you get when you start to do the things you love. 

Be Well, Auburn.