What Wellness Goals Can Look Like in the Summer

We're big proponents of the idea that your goals should change and grow as you do - that's why we include a seasonal refresh every quarter in the PowerSheets! Likewise, some of your goals might look different with the changing of the actual seasons, and wellness goals are a perfect example of that. Here, a few of our favorite ways to celebrate summer while continuing to make progress on your goal of feeling like the healthiest version of yourself - in mind, body, and spirit!

Taste the rainbow. Now is the perfect time to eat copious amounts of fruits and veggies, since they're almost all in season! (Which means they're extra-delicious and lower-priced!) Visit your local farmer's market to shop if you can, or find a pick-your-own farm for a 1-2 punch of health and exercise. Bonus points for trying something new-to-you!

Protect yourself from the sun. Buy a wide-brimmed hat you love wearing (our team has been a fan of this one for several years - several of us own it!) and find a sunscreen that works for your skin (then wear it every day, without fail!). Two good ones: this one and this one.

Read a book for fun. Having recently spent multiple hours in a row (!) plowing through an incredible novel while on vacation, I can attest that there is something deliciously decadent about indulging in something you love so thoroughly and completely. Even the act of not checking in on my phone for those hours felt like I was getting away with something! 

Maybe it's not reading for you, and maybe setting aside a few hours feels far-off. But whatever it is that fires you up and feels unabashedly leisurely—make time for it this summer. After all, the days are longer :) And keep your phone away when you do!

Looking for a great summer read? Our friend Janssen's list never fails!

Expand your idea of exercise. I don't know about y'all, but it's HOT here in North Carolina. Though I'm fighting hard to keep up with my bike ride training, the oppressive heat can make traditional workouts challenging. The good news? All kinds of moving your body counts! So, run through a sprinkler! Swim! Chase the waves at the lake or beach! Go for a brisk walk in the early morning or evening, when it's cooler! Muscle into the garden!

Make eating healthy easy. Because when it's summer, you don't want to be fussing with complicated recipes, and you want to enjoy all the memories that often accompany food! Make healthy choices automatic by packing containers of easy-to-grab washed and cut produce to snack on throughout the week. Bring a healthy AND yummy dish to a potluck so you know there will be something for you to feast on. Find a good-for-you warm weather meal you love (I love this one!). Eat lunch or dinner outside... because everything tastes better outside!

Drink more water. This is a perennial goal in the PowerSheets community, and especially important in the summer! Users have shared many favorites in our Facebook group: the Ulla attachment, the Big Bottle, this bottle with measurements and time goals, the Hydro Flask, and the Hidrate Spark. Low-tech tip: add lemon or lime, and drink with a straw! 

Have an adventure. Wellness includes self care, and that means more than just a bubble bath every so often. Shaking up your routine, trying something new, and seeing something beautiful are all energizing ways to take hold of the season and enjoy your one beautiful and precious life!

All of these would make perfect additions to your summer month Tending Lists as monthly goals, weekly goals, or daily habits. Looking to make more progress on a health or wellness goal? Pick up our Wellness Goal Guide Download!