Alright ladies, it is almost summertime. The weather is warming up, it is about to stay light later, and school is almost over. This means it is time to start working on our self-care now so we can have a hot girl summer like we all deserve. Self-care is the most important thing to do for yourself and can help you have so much more confidence without doing much. Here are some things I have been doing and by doing so, I have noticed I am more productive and happier with myself—plus I have gained so much confidence by just feeling accomplished, not to mention my mental health has been great.
The first thing we want to do is make your bed every day. Although some may still have school online, I found myself getting so much work done when I would not lay in bed and instead go to a coffee shop or even just bringing my laptop to another area of my house where I wont be as distracted. Then, at the end of the day you will have a nice made-up bed to get into as a reward for all you did that day.
The second thing I have found that helps me is moisturizing every day. During the winter, my skin gets super dry and I found that with my Cera Ve moisturizer, that no longer happens, and my skin has felt and looked the best it has in a while. Of course, everyone has a different skin type, so you may have to try a couple before you find one that you love. While you are at it, invest in some good shampoo, conditioner, and even a nice body wash. This way you will look forward to taking a shower and feel ready for your day.
Third, set apart time in your day for you time. Whether it be 30 minutes or an hour, try to get outside and enjoy the fresh air. Take a walk around your neighborhood, get some friends together and do yoga, or even just sit outside and read a book. Breaks are super-efficient and can help you accomplish more work once you have a fresh state of mind. My personal favorite is laying out (weather permitting) and listening to music or a podcast.
Lasty, try planning your meals ahead of time. Although I do not meal prep, I do sit down with my roommates on Sundays and plan out recipes for the week. Each week we try something new and we look forward to seeing if it is something we would make again or not. Pinterest has a ton of options, and fueling your body is the most important thing you can do for yourself. Thinking about what you are going to eat for dinner in the midst of doing work can be stressful and can often lead you to eating something that is not as good for you, or even not eating at all. Planning meals out ahead keeps my week stress free and then on the weekends I know I can treat myself.
Take these tips and do what you want with them. Each person is different and knows what works for them, but these simple things have made me feel so much better about myself and have kept me productive. Hang in there—we are so close to summer!