10 TIPS FOR AN ORGANIZED & STRESS-FREE SUMMER
Now that we’re officially into June, let’s embrace the summer season ahead with a fresh perspective, a renewed energy, and a stress-free mindset. Although summers bring tons of excitement, they can often get away from us, fly by, and leave us feeling drained, unrested, and off-track. I want you to feel TOTALLY in-control of your summer while also enjoying it to the absolute fullest.
Kickstart this summer with the energy to revitalize your day-to-day and prioritize your self-care to unwind, relax and feel rejuvenated all summer long. I’m sharing my top 10 tips so that you can have an organized and stress-free summer!
Get Outside & Soak Up the Sun
If you’re like me, I love spending time in the sun and soaking up every ounce of Vitamin D I can get. Whether I’m planning out my day, reading or doing my morning yoga routine, I love taking full advantage of sunny summer days and moving my daily to-dos outside while getting some fresh air. I don’t know about you, but I get an immediate serotonin boost and instantly feel happier when my body soaks up sunshine. Even if it’s for just a few minutes, take in some sunshine when you can and I guarantee it will positively impact your mood. Just remember to wear your sunscreen!
For those who experience harsh winters wherever you live, now’s the time to fully take advantage of the nicer weather and to stop being cooped up indoors. Take a morning walk or bike ride to kickstart your day with some fresh air or take your lunch break outside or at a nearby park. Take on a new hiking trail or outdoor summer sport to take your workouts outside while trying something new. Make plans with friends or family at the beach, by the lake or on a restaurant patio. Grill outside or host backyard BBQs to enjoy your summer evenings and nights. Make the effort to find ways to take your plans outdoors to spend more time outside and in the summer sun!
Refresh Your Daily Routine
If you’ve been in a rut with your routine lately, there’s no time like the present to change things up and refresh your daily routine. However, summers can oftentimes become an excuse for us to abandon our routines due to busy summer schedules, vacations, etc. I don’t know about you, but if I fall off of my routine, I’m not my best self and I crave getting back on track. Don’t let the summer push you off your routine. Instead, find a way to add some freshness to your routine so that it energizes you, excites you, holds you accountable and keeps you feeling your best self while staying on track.
Deep Clean & Organize Your Space
Here’s the thing…deep cleaning, for me, is immensely therapeutic and I feel SO much better when I know my home is clean from top to bottom and intentionally organized. I know carving out time to do a FULL deep clean of any space might be daunting for some, BUT taking the time to purge, declutter, clean, and reorganize your space is intentionally investing in your overall wellness. Recognize how your environment impacts our energy, and if there’s been a space in your home you’ve neglected for awhile, schedule time to deep clean and tackle that goal head on. YOU CAN DO IT and watch, it will probably take WAY less time than you think.
Ohhh and make organization FUN! It doesn’t have to be boring or super methodical. Purchase new colorful bins, acrylic organizers or boho baskets to organize your products, pantry or whatever space is overly cluttered. Trying using a label maker to help your future self remember what’s packed away in your storage bins. Find small ways to reorganize your spaces that will keep your home clean, tidy and looking cute!
Prep Fresh & Healthy Snacks
Summer means fresh fruits and veggies! This summer, whether you’re going to the beach, the baseball park, on a hike, or even to work, practice incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables into your meals. I love making my own green juice in the morning with celery, apples, pineapple and any other fruits or veggies I have on hand. If juices aren’t your thing, try making fresh fruit smoothies to stay cool and refreshed during your day. I also love adding berries to my morning oatmeal and steaming veggies like broccoli, zucchini and asparagus to have with fish or turkey burgers. Try making homemade sweet potato fries and, for a fun sweet summer treat, grill pineapple or peaches and serve it with vanilla ice cream. SO GOOD! And - QUICK TIP - wash, cut and prep your produce early in the week so you can easily open the fridge, grab and go! Make life easier on your future self by carving out the extra time to prep your produce after grocery shopping so you can easily enjoy it all week long and it doesn’t go to waste.
Unplug & Limit Screen Time
While you’re soaking up the summer sun, enjoying more time outdoors and spending more time with others, I encourage you to put the phone down and totally unplug to fully enjoy your surroundings. We can waste SO much time being glued to our phones or doom scrolling on social media. Make it one of your Top 10 Daily Grind Goals this month to limit your screen time so you can take in the beauty of nature and fully enjoy the quality time you’re sharing with the people around you. Make a goal like, “No phone after 10:00 p.m.” or set a timer to limit your time on social media so that you hold yourself accountable and intentionally limit your screen time this summer.
Create a Summer Bucket List
Be intentional with your summer - don’t let it pass you by! If you have goals or aspirations for this summer, take the time to write out a Summer Bucket List so that you can track all the things you want to do and accomplish over the next few months. The Daily Grind Planner Summer Clip-In Covers feature a month-long Summer Bucket List with tons of fun ways to spend this summer, from going on a spontaneous trip and visiting a local farmers market to watching the sunrise and making homemade popsicles. If you still need some inspiration for fun summer ideas, check out our Summer Bucket List over on The Daily Grind Planner Instagram.
Take Care of Your Body
Whether you’re on-the-go or taking the time to fully relax this summer, be gentle with yourself and take care of your body. If you’re seeking movement and exercise, the summer season offers inviting outdoor activities that double up as a workout - from biking, hiking and running to swimming or even outdoor yoga. If you’re feeling exhausted or overwhelmed, treat yourself to a spa day (at a salon or at home) or schedule a retreat so you designate time to relax, unwind and recharge. Listen to your body, prioritize your health and wellness, and make time for YOU and what your body needs.
Track Your Summer Spending
We deserve to treat ourselves and enjoy the summer season, BUT we shouldn’t go totally overboard when it comes to our summer expenses. If you’re going on vacation, set aside a certain amount you feel comfortable with spending on eating out, going shopping, summer excursions, etc. If setting and sticking to a budget isn’t your thing, try tracking your spending instead! Track how much you spend on summer activities, going to brunch with friends or shopping for your summer wardrobe. With consistent tracking, you can determine if you’re happy with your summer spending or reevaluate and prioritize your expenses while still having fun and staying on track!
Remember to Stay Hydrated
Hydration is KEY! With this summer heat, we gotta stay hydrated dudes! Hold yourself accountable and make sure you’re taking care of your body and feeling your best by drinking enough water each day. Try drinking one full glass of water first thing in the morning so you know you’ve started your day off on a good note. If drinking water throughout the day is a struggle for you, consider getting a water tracker bottle with time stamps that show how much you should be drinking per hour. Start bringing a refillable water bottle with you when you leave your home so that you can stay hydrated no matter where you’re going. The power of hydration is REAL - make it a TOP priority!
Prioritize Your Commitments
Summers can get JAM PACKED with events, plans, trips…without a doubt, the short lived summer months can quickly become commitment after commitment after commitment, leaving no room or time for the things you want to do. So repeat after me…”don’t be afraid to say NO!” Prioritize your time, don’t overcommit or double-book your schedule, and know that it’s okay if you can’t make every graduation party, summer BBQ, or weekend getaway. Let this be YOUR summer where you call the shots, you take control, and you choose how you want to spend your time. Put yourself and your time FIRST!
Alright dudes - let’s have THE best summer yet! I hope these tips inspire, motivate and empower you to prioritize your time, your environment, and your well-being so that you feel fully refreshed and relaxed throughout the next few months. Use these 10 tips to stay organized and stress-free all summer long and I want YOU to make sure you live your DREAM LIFE this summer.