Summertime and the livin’s easy…..🎵
Well maybe not easy...but a heck of a lot better than walking through waist deep snow. #colorado
Summer is definitely my favorite season.
Sunshine, hikes, hanging by the pool, bbqs, hitting the beach, virgin dairy free pina coladas (can someone invent this already please?!?!) and driving with the windows down blasting my jams…..
#summerbliss
I officially made it through California’s “June Gloom” and summer is officially in full swing.
But wait a second...I thought summer meant being less busy?!
I thought it meant more downtime?!
I thought it meant I could hit the beach and not have to look at my phone for 5 hours?! (HA, yah friggin’ right!)
I don’t know about you but I’m just as busy running my business as I was during the winter...and spring...and fall…
It seems like a “slow time” no longer exists.
In winter, it somehow feels easier to overwork ourselves when the temperature dips and we’re choosing the coziness of our homes. It’s easy to get wiped out from putting in the long hours.
But summer is just as dangerous.
We tend to eat less, sleep less and not take care of ourselves as well during this time of year.
Because let’s face it, we want to be outside. We want to soak up every minute of heat and sunshine. We want to play “after hours”.
And we tend to play as hard as we work. #femtrepreneur
But life doesn’t take a vacation and work especially doesn’t.
Summer burnout is not a myth. It takes a toll on our bodies and our brains.
So what can we do about it?
As a Certified Health Coach (yes, did you know I became obsessed with this kind of education pre my essential oils days?), I’m here to give you the tools you need to make the most out of what seems like the shortest season of the year.
Drink that H20
Whether you’re playing beach volleyball, biking, or hiking, you’re getting your sweat on. Which means you’re losing water big time through perspiration.
Avoid consuming things that dehydrate you even further...like sugar, caffeine and alcohol.
Make sure you’re getting your 8 glasses of water a day (if not more!) and eating foods that are rehydrating as well like watermelon, cucumber, bananas, tomatoes and more.
And remember, when it comes to water — quality matters. The usual h2O that comes out of most faucets is loaded with nasty chemicals, fluoride, and residual pharmaceutical compounds #barf. Make sure you’ve got a good filter or water alkalizer and be sure to remineralize filtered water with a pinch of sea salt or a few drops of Concentrace.
At least all this extra exercise you’re getting is good for you...mentally and physically.
Staying active is the best way to combat the stresses of work and life.
2. Take care of your skin
You’re out in the sun having fun which means you’re increasing your daily dose of Vitamin D...which is great! But you gotta make sure you’re taking care of your skin.
And being sun smart.
When it comes to sunscreen, there are two kinds: mineral and chemical. Some people say it’s all good to just use coconut oil but be warned: the natural SPF in coconut or olive oil just isn’t gonna cut it against today’s strong rays.
Guess which one I like to use?!
Chemical sunscreens seep into your skin while mineral sunscreens sit on top of your skin while protecting you from harmful UV rays.
Avoid chemical sunscreens and make sure you’re looking for a sunscreen with broad spectrum, which means you’ll be protected from both UVB and UVA rays. And choose lotion over sprays.
In general, make sure you’re not roasting out in the sun all day every day. And if you have to be outside 24/7, wear a hat, take breaks in the shade and again, stay hydrated.
(Personally I wear a hat and a big fat pear of sunglasses over my face all the time no matter what and I still get a little color. But I’m always thinking about protecting my skin (and my hair!). And 1 hour on the beach in high sun is definitely enough time!
Oh yah, and one more tip. Add some essential oils to your spray bottle at the beach. Keep cool with oils like peppermint, basil, cilantro and more.
3. Eat lighter meals
This is the only time I actually get to push my vegan diet on you…just a little bit...because guess what! Veggies and plants are THE way to eat in the heat of the summer.
And they’ll give you more energy to get your work done and be able to play too.
Eating heavy foods, especially in the heat, is hard on your body. It takes a lot more energy to digest a bucket of fries than a fresh salad.
Eating fruits, veggies and greens is a great way to keep your body cool, give you energy and give your digestive system a break.
4. Do something for you boo
You are working your butt off.
Your biz doesn’t rest.
And as soon as you close your laptop, finish that last meeting, or say goodnight to your favorite client, you are out the door.
But make sure you take the time to REST and recharge.
Maybe sit out the surf and read a book or take the time to journal or meditate instead.
Self-care is important and you may not think you even need it because you’re having so much fun...but we all need to take a moment to just be.
Even if you’re happy, your body could still be feeling the stress. So nip it in the bud before it becomes an issue.
I friggin’ LOVE summer and I also love my biz and it’s important to me to figure out ways to make sure I’m enjoying both. And I want the same for you.
Happy summer!
How do you keep a great work/life balance in the summertime? Let me know in the comments!