25 Summer Self Care Ideas & Tips for the Best Summer Ever

Are you looking for ways to practice self-care this summer? If so, you’re in luck!

I’ve put together a list of 25 feel-good self-care ideas that will help you have the best summer ever. 

Whether you want to relax at home, get active outdoors, or enjoy some time with friends and family, I guarantee there will be some new self-care activities you will love.

So why not give one or two of these ideas a try?

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You might also like: Couple’s Bucket List for Summer

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25 Summer Self Care Ideas & Tips to Make This Summer Epic!

Make it the best summer ever with this summer self care challenge! #selfcare Share on X

1. Get Active Outside

Being physical is one of the 5 different types of self-care you can turn to this summer and depending on where you live your summer might be short. So, there is no time like the present to try something new.

Outdoor Summer Self Care Ideas:

• Kayaking
• Mountain biking
• Hiking
• Volleyball
• Tennis
• Morning walks
• Swimming
• Jogging
• Yoga in the park
• Stretching
• Play a team sport

You can also get active with your kids, nieces and nephews or neighbour’s kids by playing hopscotch, tag or hide and seek.

2. Spruce Up Your Water

Drinking more water in the summer is important to stay hydrated and one of the best ways to do this is by making naturally flavoured water.

You can use either still or sparkling water and try adding some of the following:

• Fresh mint
• Strawberries
• Cucumber
• Lemon and limes
• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Watermelon
• Kiwi
• Basil

You can of course combine many of these too. For example, strawberries and basil are delicious. 

3. Explore Your Town or City

Being a tourist in your own town or city is a no-brainer, but not many of us do it, so this summer think about ways you can get to know where you live a little more.

You can also do touristy things in nearby towns, especially with the summertime having outdoor markets, plays and festivals.

4. Work Outside (if you can)

If you work from home full-time or even a couple of days a week, use this as an opportunity for more outside time. Get your laptop, headphones and some water and head outdoors. 

I do this as much as possible and it makes my summers so much more enjoyable. It gets really hot where I live so I also use a fan outside on the super hot days.

5. Walk Daily

Good for your mind, body and soul – walking on a daily basis has so many health benefits such as improving your mood, building muscle, improving concentration and so much more.

If you can aim for 10,000 steps a day or more, great – but if not don’t let this stop you. 

Tip: To make walking more interesting, make sure to walk in different areas of your neighbourhood instead of taking the same path.

6. Outside Cuppa

We all love our caffeine fix first thing in the morning, but in the summertime try and get this outside first thing in the morning. It’s the perfect way to start the day.

If you have outdoor space, you can sit on your porch, front steps, or backyard.

If you don’t, use this as an opportunity to grab your insulated mug and find a spot in your neighbourhood. You could even go for a short stroll with your cuppa.

7. Get Your Kid On

Bring back that nostalgic feeling and do some activities you used to do as a kid. There’s something about summer and nostalgia that brings on the best feelings of joy. 

Here are some ideas:

• Skip rope
• Play croquet with your family or friends
• Pick up a kiddy pool – or an adult size inflatable pool!
• Go to the drive-in movies
• Try some backyard badminton or volleyball
• Make some popsicles
• Try hula-hooping
• Make some water balloons
• Play ladder golf (this is a favourite at my house)

8. Enjoy Nature

There are so many ways you can enjoy nature, but as you choose this activity make sure to think about what really makes you feel good from a self-care perspective. 

If you’re someone who thrives on physical activities go on a hike, go biking or try paddleboarding. 

If you prefer enjoying nature by relaxing you can make sure to just get outside more often and listen to the birds, the breeze and if you’re lucky enough to live near water – the waves.

How do you enjoy nature? Share in the comments section below to inspire others.

9. Watch the Sunrise/Sunset

Of course, another way to enjoy nature is to watch the sunrise or sunset. 

When was the last time you did this? (This is actually one of my personal goals this summer – to get to the lake and take in the beautiful sun rising over the city skyline).

Watching the sunrise can be the perfect way to start the day on the right foot. And watching the sunset is a wonderful way to end your day with thoughts of gratitude.

10. Go on a Picnic 

Going for a picnic can be as simple as picking up a sub and going to a beautiful outdoor spot, or going all-in with your insulated picnic bag, homemade lunch and hitting the beach or a park.

You can go on your own as a self date, with friends or have a romantic picnic with your spouse. 

No matter what you choose, just getting out and experiencing the gifts that summer brings is a wonderful way to practise self-care.

11. Start a Summer Hobby

You can really make the most of the summer by trying a new hobby or activity. 

Some great summer hobby ideas:

• Gardening
• Photography
• Hiking
• Paddleboarding
• Bird watching
• Play tennis
• Camping

Of course, you can take any hobby and go outside to have some feel-good summer vibes.

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Related: Check out this big list of more hobbies you can try!

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12. Drink Healthy Smoothies

With an abundance of fresh seasonal fruit in the summertime, it’s the perfect time to have a daily healthy smoothie or smoothie bowl.

Getting lots of healthy fruits into your diet keeps you hydrated, energized and feeling great.

13. Eat Seasonal Foods

Eating in-season fruits and veggies is one of my favourite parts of summer. If you have a farmers market nearby, go and enjoy what’s fresh in your area. 

14. Nap Under a Tree

I once had a 9-5 job I was not a fan of, so every day at lunch I would walk to a nearby park, set my alarm clock and have a catnap under a tree. I would usually just lay there and look up at the sky and listen to the sounds around me, but wow – was it ever bliss.

It certainly made my days that much happier even though I didn’t love my job at the time.

Give it a try – I promise you’ll love it 🙂

15. Have a Pup? Get to The Dog Park

Going to the dog park with your fur baby is extremely therapeutic (if your pup feels comfortable doing so).

Seeing them play while you chat to other pet parents is a simple pleasure that is so easy to add to your weekly routine.

Make sure to look on Google maps for dog parks in your area – you’d be surprised how beautiful they can be. (The one closest to me is on a lake with stunning views).

16. Get Quality Time with Friends

Summer goes by so quickly, so reach out to your friends and put some dates on the calendar so you can make some good old-fashioned summertime memories. 

You could do big things like renting a cottage, going away for a weekend and going to some vineyards or smaller things like cocktails on a patio, weekly coffee in the park, or going to a local market.

You can also get some ideas off the rest of this list and make a truly memorable summer with your friends.

17. Read a Summer Novel

Get your hands on a fun, light-hearted read – summer romance, mystery or even a travel novel are all really great options.

Here are a few great summer reads to consider:

• Where the Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens
• A Walk in the Woods – Bill Bryson
• Under The Magnolia’s – A Southern Coming of Age Story, T.I. Lowe

18. Social Media Detox

Depending on how old you are you may remember being a kid in the summer and there were moments you were completely bored.

But, these were the times you got creative and found fun things to do – collecting butterflies or making up games with your neighbours.

Let’s do this again by taking social media away for a specified period of time. 

This means you will be more intentional with your time and also find ways to allow your adult self to get creative.

20. Walk on the Beach

Walking on the beach in the summer with your feet in the sand is such a great way to feel grounded and practice mindfulness. 

You can walk on the beach with a friend or spouse but I also encourage you to go alone and truly take in the sounds of the waves splashing, and the birds chirping. 

21. Eat Outside

If you live in a cold climate, eating outside in the summertime is sooo enjoyable. It’s a time to get the BBQ on, have family and friends over and have fun.

I also love eating my breakfast outside, which is a great idea if you live in a hot climate and you want to avoid the midday heat.

22. Protect Your Skin

As someone who is very sensitive to the sun (and has had melanoma), I urge you to protect your skin in the summer and all year actually.

Whether you have light or dark skin, having a good SPF of 30 plus is most recommended. Personally, I use 60 SPF and I still tan. If you’re unsure of what SPF you should use for your skin, ask your doctor or just go higher.

Also, remember to protect your skin with a hat, sunglasses and if you’re like me, protective clothing – especially at the beach.

23. Keep Fresh Flowers in the House

Cut flowers from your garden, pick up wildflowers or buy some in-season flowers to treat yourself. Bringing the outside in is a simple way to enjoy the summertime.

Even if you only cut one small flower it can still be enjoyed in a small mason jar.

24. Journal

To keep track of all the wonderful things you’re doing over the summer, write in your journal. 

Not only can you use journaling as a form of self-care in the summer but recording all of the fun and rewarding self-care activities you’ve done throughout the season is a wonderful way to preserve memories.

It’s also helpful when you’re looking for self-care ideas for the following summer.

25. Take Time Off

Lastly, make sure to take some time off work if you’re able.

Whether you have some mini staycations or you go away, having downtime away from work allows you to get some much-needed rest and relaxation.

Are You Going to Give this Summer Self Care Challenge a Try?

I truly hope so!

How many times have you said “I’m going to start my summer off right by taking care of myself” and then never followed through?

We’ve all been there. This year, let’s make a pact to take better care of ourselves and enjoy every minute of the summer.

To start, share in the comments a new summer self-care activity you’re going to try this summer!

Related Self Care Resources:

• 15 Ways To Practice Emotional Self Care
• 10 Ways to Focus on Yourself & Not Others
• Love Yourself First Daily Guided Journal
• Morning Self Care Routine – New Ideas to Start Your Day
• Self Care 101: 9 Ways to Look After You