Supporting your own self care this summer
Our mid life and perimenopause years can be challenging when it comes to self care. And the summer can amplify this.
We feel like summer should be calmer without the usual rush.
With kids home from school, college or university, colleagues on holiday leaving you with more work to do in less time, or less care available for elderly relatives we might not get the down time we thought we might!
We might be struggling to sleep, be feeling down about our fitness, our energy and our bodies, we might be wondering what to do about work and family to find a better balance.
For several years I’ve created a wall chart at the beginning of the summer. So that the kids can see what the plans are each day, and so that they can create a wishlist of activities they’d like to do and friends they’d like to see.
Nowadays I have my own wishlist.
I wonder what might be on your summer self care list.
Here’s a process that might help.
Start with how you’d like to feel at the end of the summer, as you step back into the school year and the normal routine, whatever that looks like.
And then consider how what you need to be doing over the summer months that supports that feeling. The actions you need to take, the support you might need.
I’d like to feel strong, sunkissed and calm.
I’d like a clear head and a clear plan for the autumn and winter ahead.
So my actions over the summer will be:
2-3 short strength workouts a week (20 minutes of squats, lunges, and fun like that with simple equipment and a good soundtrack)
Outdoor adventures with friends and family.
Restorative activities for me - regular outdoor swims, solo walks in the woods, morning meditation and journaling.
Time in my diary to plan and schedule September-December - for work and personal life so that I don’t get to the end of the year feeling like I am chasing my tail.
Clearing the spare room of junk and a sort out in the loft (it’s constantly on my to-do list, so I’m earmarking a couple of days for this!)
A proper ‘switch off from work’ holiday - because I love what I do it can be all to easy to take it with me, but I’m going for proper downtime and connection time when I’m away.
Daily time to read - fiction and non-fiction
What is on your list?
How will you move your body?
How will you rest and recharge?
What might you change from previous summers?
What will you add in? What will you take away?
What might be your reminder mantra to keep you going?
Want some help with this? I’ve got limited availability for some coaching calls over the summer. See if you can find some time via the button below. I charge £99 for a call*
*this price is going up in September 2022