Honestly, 2020 and 2021 have been tough. We’ve all over-stressed, over-thought, and dealt with the oh-so-gloomy thoughts of “When is this pandemic going to end?” It still feels strange, surreal almost to feel like something good might happen. Our lives have been upended, overrun with crazy events happening one after the other. That’s why our top priority this summer should be to show ourselves some love.
Now that places are starting to open back up, the eventual fate of having to interact with others once again is quickly approaching; social events will populate and we will be able to look at peoples’ faces hopefully without a mask blocking their smile. Coming from a place of partial or even complete isolation, many fear this transition, contemplating whether their social skills are up to par with what they were before. With this in mind, it is incredibly important to understand that taking time for yourself away from others (even after the pandemic has subsided) is completely OKAY.
If you do choose to spend some time with yourself, consider working out (perhaps taking inspiration from our workout section below), checking off some tasks on our summer bucket list, or trying our deliciously refreshing popsicle recipe. Don’t forget to spend some quality time with yourself this summer and try something new without fearing failure!
Let’s all take a deep breath and collectively agree to put ourselves first. We deserve a break from our constantly buzzing minds. Trust me, there is a lot of good in just resting and relaxing! Be kind to yourself <3!
Workouts at Home:
To be active you do not need to spend money on a gym membership since many exercises can be done at home! As you build endurance and strength you can add weight to your home workouts to increase difficulty. At home workouts are great for everyone, it does not matter if you are at a beginner level, intermediate level, or advanced level. It is important to learn how to do exercises properly to avoid injuries.
A few of many exercises that can be done at home are push-ups, lunges, and wall squats. According to Malia Frey in “At-Home Strength Workouts for All Levels,” form is essential when performing an exercise and shares tips on how to execute the exercises. When trying to do a push-up, lay down on your belly then place your palms approximately shoulder-width apart. Lift your body up by pushing on your toes and extending your arms to push yourself up. To reduce the difficulty of push-ups you can drop your knees to the floor. You can also do back lunges by placing your hands on a wall or chair for balance and then stepping with one foot back and bending both knees. One last exercise is wall squats. This exercise can be done by standing with your back on the wall and slowly lowering your body into a squat position by bending your knees while keeping your back straight. Again, these exercises can be done at home with or without weights. It is important to be careful with your form to prevent injuries. More information about these and other exercises can be found at https://www.verywellfit.com/best-home-workouts-3495490.
Summer bucket list:
Go to the beach with friends and family (making sure that everyone is vaccinated)
Paint a portrait outside while listening to music
Water balloon fights
Visit the aquarium (if open)
Go on a hike
Virtual movie night!
Plan a picnic
Challenge someone to a photography contest
Redecorate your house/ room
Create an art piece only using recycled/ natural materials
Backyard camping
Stargaze
Go on a blind date with a book (pick up a random book at a bookstore and read it!)
Write a letter to a celebrity and send it
Experiment with new recipes
Give yourself a spa day
Healthy and Refreshing Popsicle Recipe (for about 6 popsicles)
1 can coconut cream
1 banana
1 cup berries of your choice
A teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ cup of milk of choice (almond, cow, cashew, etc…)
Directions:
Put all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
Pour mixture into popsicle molds and let set in the freezer overnight or until completely solid.
Enjoy!