Wouldn’t it be great if you could carry the spirit of summertime with you throughout the whole year?
Well, you can!
I don’t mean warmer weather and longer days.
I’m talking about the positive summer lifestyle habits you form and how to use them no matter what the month is.
For example…
- Try a new exercise. A lot of people take the opportunity try something new in the summer, even if they have no intention of making it a permanent part of their regimen. It’s a great way to keep things fresh and perk up your interest. So, why not continue that into the fall, winter and spring? You can always take a new class or try a fresh activity.
- Schedule workouts in your calendar. This is a good thing to begin in summer, when your schedule might be thrown off by vacations and visitors. It’s a good idea all the time because studies show that when we put something into our calendar, we’re more likely to follow through with it.
- Practice relaxation at least weekly. It’s easier to chill out during summer, isn’t it? The sunshine is a natural anti-depressant, and the hectic pace of life sometimes slows down with kids out of school. Remember to plan out relaxation time for yourself throughout the year – when you probably need it more. It’s NOT being selfish. It’s taking care of yourself.
- Walk more. Summertime encourages us to walk on errands and such, but you can probably do more of that even when it’s not so warm out. You might have to plan ahead and bring some extra layers of clothing, but the extra steps and movement will add up quickly.
- Remember “Why.” A lot of people are motivated to exercise and eat right during the summer because they’re more likely to be wearing less clothing. Whatever your motivation is, keep it top of mind throughout the year for those days when you’d rather stay home.
- Drink plenty of water. It might seem more obvious in hot weather, so build that habit into your daily routine. Even when temperatures drop, we must stay optimally hydrated throughout the day. It’s a simple step to take, but super-important.
- Get out there. Walk the dog. Root for the home team at a game. Go for a jog. Rake leaves, shovel snow… there’s always something to be done outside, even if it’s just for a few minutes a day.
Before you know it, summer will come around again, and you’ll have a year of these good habits under your belt. Just think of the new habits you can add then!
