The 2020 Summer Self Care Challenge You Have to Try

2020 has been an… umm..well… interesting year to say the least. Unlike any other year, there’s no doubt that you deserve a little TLC this summer more than ever! Though the world is starting to open up again, things aren’t completely back to normal yet. [Unless of course, this truly is the new normal!].

Either way, it’s important to give yourself some extra lovin’ this summer so you can take some time to enjoy the beautiful weather and all the fun things that come along with it. 

We’ve pulled together a very special summer self care challenge (2020 approved – aka social distancing guaranteed). Check out all the details below!

Summer Self Care Challenge

1. Buy yourself a bouquet of flowers

No need to wait for the next occasion before you spruce up your home with some flowers. Treat yourself by picking up an affordable bouquet of flowers from the farmer’s market or your local grocery store!

2. Do yoga outside

Grab a yoga mat, find the perfect spot, and start downward dogging outside. If you live in a busy area, throw on a pair of headphones so you can be distraction free! Just remember to be alert of your surroundings.

3. Make your own popsicles

Skip the store bought popsicles, and opt in for tasty and healthy DIY popsicles at home. There’s nothing more refreshing than a popsicle on a hot summer day, am I right?!

4. Plan a staycation

Look ahead in your calendar and choose a weekend that you’re going to have a staycation at home. What’s your ideal staycation look like? Reading some books? Checking out local spots nearby that you’re yet to see? Start planning and save the date!

5. Do a hair mask

Between chlorine and ocean salt, the summer can often do damage to our hair. Replenish your locks by doing a hair mask. You can even DIY a coconut oil hair mask at home if you’re feeling up for it! 

6. Wake up to see the sunrise

A beautiful summer sunrise is always worth the 5am wakeup. Get up earlier than the sun and watch the world come to life!

7. Read a fiction book outside

Drop the personal development books, the self help books, and the history textbooks – time to indulge in your creativity. Grab a fiction novel and head outside for a summery read.

8. Make lemon-mint-fruit water

Staying hydrated in the summer is super important – but why not make it more fun? Add lemon, mint, cucumber, and fruits of your choice to a pitcher of water to create the ultimate flavor-infused H20.

9. Make your coffee extra special

Drop the usual coffee with milk (or plain tea if you’re a tea drinker) and make yourself something extra special. Try frothing your milk, add extra ingredients like matcha or caramel, and indulge in a Starbucks-at-home drink!

10. Take a bath with essential oils

Fill up the tub and layer in some essential oils to help you relax your mind and your body. Top it all off by lighting some candles to make your bathroom your sanctuary.

11. Do a DIY facial at home

Simply the best. Enough said. For a full tutorial on how to DIY an at home facial you can check out this article. 

12. Blast your fav playlist and dance

I’d recommend doing this every season of the year, but get your tunes out and start groovin’! Blast some of your favorite songs and have a solo dance party.

13. Write out your summer bucketlist

There are lots of fun things to do in the summer, but so much to do, so little time! What are some of the things you’ve always wanted to do in the summer? Write ’em out and get right to it!

14. Get soaked in the rain

Next time you see a storm coming through, get a little carefree and run into the rain. Feel the rain on your skin (thanks Natasha Bedingfield) — just don’t do it if there’s lightning! I repeat. Beware of lightning!

15. Watch a movie in a drive-in

Since most theatres are closed, why not dual up the great outdoors with a movie? Check out a local drive in and watch a flick from your car.

16. Plant something

Buy a pack of seeds or a baby plant and start your own garden. One plant is all you need to get it going! If you live in an apartment / condo, start with some herbs to put out on your balcony or your window sill. 

17. Organize your photos

If you’ve got thousands of photos on your phone or laptop, now’s the perfect time to start organizing. Reminisce through old memories and create digital albums for your pics. It’s also the perfect opportunity to get some photos printed!

18. Go out for an ice cream date

Let’s get real nostalgic here – back to the good old days when ice cream was the most exciting thing about the summer. Grab ice cream with a friend or your partner and make it a date!

19. Wake up without an alarm

Contrary to the sunrise wakeup, give yourself a day to just sleep in. No alarm, no early wake up calls, just a natural wake up. It’s okay to give your body the rest it needs! Plus, beauty sleep is always a good thing.

20. Change up the decor in a room

It’s always nice to switch things up with your decor, especially since you’ve been staring at the same decor during your time at home the past few months! If you’re on a budget, head to the dollar store and browse through for some updated picture frames, vases, etc. You’d be surprised at how different your place can look with a few new pieces coupled with changing up the positioning of the furniture.

21. Go stargazing

Good old, summer nights. Nothing quite like them – and it’s the simple things that are the best things about summer after all! Lay out a blanket and go stargazing on a clear night.

22. Watch your fav childhood movie

Between Netflix, Crave, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and the other fifty streaming services online, chances are you’ll be able to find your fav childhood movie pretty easily. Throw it on and take a walk down memory lane.

23. Have a picnic outside

Grab some friends or go solo – but either way, don’t forget the wine. Pack some sandwiches, drinks, and snacks, and head out to a park or scenic location for a picnic with some good vibes.

24. Give yourself an at-home mani-pedi

Tis the season of sandals – so no better time than now, to give yourself at-home mani-pedi! Pamper yourself with a spa day session by giving your nails a little attention.

25. Bake cookies

I mean, is there ever a wrong time? Bake some cookies, take in the aroma, and… eat them all yourself!!! (Ahem… the real way to do self care) 🙂