8 Tips for Having Your Best Ever Self-Care Summer

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Your summer schedule is likely packed with plans, which can sometimes leave little space in the agenda for *you* time. Between outings with friends, weekend beach trips, family pickleball tourneys and whatever else your summer holds, you may not be thinking much about your overall health. But while finding time to practice self-care this summer might be a tight squeeze, it’s important you find accessible and easy ways to prioritize your well-being. (So you can actually enjoy all those fun plans.) Below, eight tips on how you can have the best self-care summer ever.

The Incredible Egg

1. Hit Your Protein Goals

It’s no secret that getting enough protein is important to help support a healthy lifestyle. ¹ According to fitness and performance nutrition expert Tony Castillo, MS, RD, “Consuming protein throughout the day is crucial for maintaining muscle mass, supporting recovery and keeping energy levels stable.” However, not all proteins are created equal. Animal-source foods, like eggs , deliver all nine essential amino acids, which are building blocks of protein that your body needs but can’t make itself. And these proteins are bioavailable—meaning your body can digest and use them efficiently. In fact, eggs are among the most bioavailable protein sources out there. Consider incorporating foods that are high-quality sources of protein you can eat any time of day—like eggs—into your diet can help you feel satisfied during busy summer days. ² Eggs are a great choice as a nutritional powerhouse, with one egg containing 6 grams of high-quality protein and all nine essential amino acids. ³

Additionally, eggs are a great on-the-go option for any meal. “The versatility of eggs allows you to create light yet satisfying meals all day long that don't weigh you down in the summer heat, making them perfect for busy athletes and working professionals alike,” says Castillo. So whether you or your family members are rushing out the door or you’re an athlete fueling for performance, you’ll feel good knowing you have a nutrient-rich meal with eggs at the ready. Try some Veggie Loaded Egg Muffins , a Scrambled Egg, Tomato, Mozzarella and Basil Panini or Castillo’s favorite: a flavorful Caribbean-inspired dinner recipe called “Arroz con Huevos,” or Rice with Eggs. This traditional meal consists of two eggs, either fried or scrambled, served over a bed of seasoned rice and beans. Yum.

2. Establish a Healthy Morning Routine

Ever watch those YouTube morning routine vlogs (ya know, the ones where they wake up at 5 a.m., do a seven-step skincare routine, exercise and then have fresh-squeezed celery juice?) and feel a simultaneous flood of envy and inspiration? Yep, us too—but cultivating a health-centered morning routine isn’t as tough as you’d think.

Like any good habit, waking up at the same time every day and establishing beneficial practices takes discipline, but what better time to start than summer? Good news: No one is forcing you to wake up before the sun rises or drink a vegetable-based juice that tastes like grass. Find what works for you and stick to it; perhaps a 7 a.m. alarm followed by a quick journaling sesh is more your speed. The key is creating the habit and sticking to it. And, if you’re really not a morning person, invest in a fancy alarm clock (we love the Hatch Restore ) for calm rise-and-shine vibes, a pair of extra-soft slippers to crawl into first thing in the morning or whatever else will help you get out of bed.

The Incredible Egg

3. Prioritize Movement

Let’s face it: Getting in the exercise groove on a routine basis can be challenging, especially when the heavy heat of summer hits. However, frequent exercise can help improve your overall health, and might also help reduce stress. ⁴ Aka, a lot of good stuff goes on in your brain when you’re exercising , which means it’s essential to your well-being—especially if you’re prioritizing wellness this summer.

Now, we’re not saying you have to train for a marathon out here—a simple 30 minute walk a few times per week will do the trick. Or, bring a buddy to a fitness class at your local gym or boutique studio. Low-impact exercise classes like barre, Pilates and yoga can be great for those who aren’t necessarily interested in high-intensity, sweating-your-butt-off workout vibes. At the end of the day, movement is movement, and getting a little bit in is better than nothing.

For those looking to maintain high energy all day, Castillo recommends early morning workouts, followed by a meal high in quality protein—often featuring eggs. “Since I workout in the morning, my recovery meal always includes eggs, but eggs really are great any time of day. When working with athletes I always share how high-quality protein, such as the protein found in eggs, can help maintain and repair muscle while supporting bone health. ⁵ Plus, eating high-quality protein, like eggs, in combination with carbohydrates post-workout can help refuel muscles and optimize recovery. ⁶ Eggs are also one of the few foods rich in choline, supporting lifelong brain health,” he says. “This ensures that you’re refueling properly and setting yourself up for a great day.”

4. Spend Quality Time with Loved Ones

According to the Mayo Clinic , the simple act of laughing activates and relieves your stress response, stimulates circulation and relieves muscle tension—and those sound like nice health benefits to us. The bottom line? Spending time with people who make you laugh is clinically good for you. It goes without saying that no one really wants to spend time with someone who makes you feel bad or brings down your energy—but it can often be an unavoidable part of life. In your free time, try your best to prioritize those who consistently bring joy to your life. You’ll feel better overall.

5. Make a Budget (and Stick to It)

Financial health is just as important as your physical health. Sorting out your savings, investments and more can lead you to feel happier on a day-to-day basis. Not sure where to start (or totally overwhelmed just thinking about it)? Have no fear: There are services out there that can help folks looking to create budgets and prioritize saving.

Because by sticking to a budget and setting realistic financial goals for yourself, you’ll feel good about living life to the fullest this summer , while still keeping your money organized. We’d recommend using free apps like NerdWallet for budgeting beginners—or, if you’re looking for a more comprehensive service, helpful companies like Her First 100k and Ellevest have downloadable budgeting templates, as well as courses on investing, how to squash debt and more.

6. Declutter Your Living Space

Whether you love or hate cleaning, you must admit it’s nice to be in a clean space once you’re done. This is because cleaning can be a form of practicing mindfulness. In fact, according to Verywell Mind , evidence suggests that cleaning boosts your mood, improves your focus and gives you a sense of mastery and control over your environment.

Plus, according to a study by research scientist NiCole Keith, PhD , people with clean spaces tend to feel healthier than those with messy or cluttered homes. Now we’re not saying you have to have a completely spotless home or clean four times per week, just the act of a simple surface clean or decluttering every now and again might help you feel better.

7. Spend More Time in Nature

’Tis the season for basking in the warm sun as much as possible, so may as well take advantage. There’s no denying sunlight and time in nature are super beneficial to your health. Seriously, it’s proven that time outdoors decreases stress and anxiety, encourages exercise and even can reduce risks of more serious health issues like chronic diseases and cancer. Whether you’re spending time poolside, taking a walk through the woods, swimming in the ocean or whatever suits your fancy, you’re reaping more benefits than you realize by getting some vitamin D and grounding yourself in nature. Just remember to wear sunscreen and stay hydrated.

8. Don’t Limit Yourself

Our biggest piece of advice? Do what feels right for you . Engaging in healthy habits and holding yourself accountable is great—but don’t be too hard on yourself. If you want to go out with friends for some bevvies, do it. If you want to sleep in until 10 a.m. occasionally, by all means, pull those blackout curtains all the way shut. Everything in moderation. Plus, you’ll probably feel much better going back to your improved, nutritious diet after eating some ice cream (and you might find that you don’t crave it as much anymore).

Making the conscious decision to prioritize your health and focus on self-care is half the battle…so don’t force yourself to do anything you don’t have the genuine desire to do.