Making the Most of Your Summer: Reset your Self-Care Habits!

Written By Emily Bottegal, MS
 
 

Ah, the joys of summertime!

It’s a season filled with pool visits, family vacations and s’mores nights with friends - But it may also be a continuation of the “always-on-the-go” pace that we thought we left behind with the end of the latest school year. Additionally, we have less structured work, home and/or school routines.

Are you incorporating healthy self-care habits into your summer schedule that will allow you to make the most of the summer season while making time to reset and refocus?

Not incorporating self-care habits into your daily routine can greatly impact your mood, physical and mental health and the way in which you interact and show up for those people that are closest to you. More specifically, if you are not prioritizing your own self-care, you may experience low energy or lack of patience for your family members or friends. You may have feelings of burnout and lack of motivation to complete tasks or schoolwork. 

Instead, let’s start to make small habit changes that can lend a hand to your improved self-care.

Pick out 2-3 activities, behaviors or tasks that you want to incorporate into your new summer schedule that are focused on your own well-being. Think about the benefit and positive outcomes these habits will have once you add them into your routine. 

Some self-care ideas include:

  • Meditate or journal for 15 minutes in the morning

  • Schedule in a workout class or afternoon walk with a friend

  • Reset your sleep schedule by ending your phone use by 10pm each night

  • Plan a time to cook a family meal and enjoy it outside together

  • Book that trip to see your friend you’ve been thinking about

Take the added challenge of using a habit tracker or accountability partner to ensure these new self-care habits become part of your daily routine. Accountability is the best way to ensure your goals are met and you stay consistent with your new habits!

Showing up for yourself and prioritizing your emotional, physical and mental well-being will not only make a difference in your life, but in those around you. Let’s make the most of this season and make it a self-care summer!

Emily Bottegal, MS

Ensuring students achieve academic, social/emotional, and personal success, Emily has a passion to empower students to succeed in and out of the classroom. Emily coaches from a strength-based approach and believes every individual has the ability to achieve success with the appropriate support and skills in place. She has dedicated her professional life to working with youth in school and community settings. 

Prior to joining the team, Emily worked as a School Site Coordinator and Home-Based Counselor in the Washington, DC area. In these roles, Emily engaged directly with students through individual counseling sessions and small group interventions focused on helping students meet personal goals relating to academics and managing emotions. Her direct experience helped her to understand the challenges individuals face both academically and personally, ultimately leading to her developing lessons around time management, scheduling, study skills, and organization. 

Most recently, Emily worked at a nonprofit, helping secure specialized instruction and support necessary to improve educational outcomes for low-income children with learning disabilities and developmental delays.

Emily has a Master’s degree in Counseling from Johns Hopkins University.

http://www.lifesolvedcoaching.com/who-we-are
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