There are so many ways to make your life better this summer. Burnout doesn’t take a vacation, but you should.
Summer sounds relaxing in theory: warmer weather, longer days, maybe a few lazy mornings with iced coffee in a cute glass. But in reality? It’s chaos. Especially if you’re an exhausted mom trying to hold it together while juggling work, parenting, and whatever random “fun” thing you just agreed to that now feels like a punishment.
So let’s reset the vibe.
This isn’t a bucket list full of nonsense. These are 25 realistic self-care moves that will actually make your life better this summer. We’re talking small changes, simple things, and a whole lot of letting go of the expectation that you need to do everything “right” to enjoy this season.
Let’s do summer your way.
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1. Make Water Your Thing
Feeling a bit on edge? Maybe you’re a bit dehydrated. Plenty of water is one of the best things you can give your body in the summer months — and yet somehow we keep choosing coffee with six pumps of syrup. Get a water bottle that brings you joy and drink it like it owes you money.
Staying hydrated improves your mood, your skin, your focus, and your ability to not snap at your family members.
2. Declutter One Area (Then Leave the Rest Alone)
Your whole house doesn’t need a makeover. Summer is a great time to lower the bar and just focus on one small space per day: your car, your purse, your junk drawer. It’s a great way to reduce decision fatigue without losing an entire weekend to reorganize your life.
3. Get That Morning Sunshine
One of the best ways to boost your energy levels is to get sunlight before 10 a.m. Just five minutes of fresh air and brightness can improve your mood and regulate your sleep. No need to do a full morning routine with yoga and green juice — unless that’s your thing. For me, it’s standing on the patio with coffee and just listening to the birds tweet.
4. Meal Plan Like a Lazy Genius
You don’t need a Pinterest worthy meal plan. But making a flexible meal plan (with shortcuts!) can be a huge difference in how your week flows. Think: rotisserie chicken, microwavable wild rice, frozen steamable veggies. Add new recipes only if you have the time and emotional health to handle them. Otherwise, cereal is a vibe.
If you don’t have an Air Fryer, you need one. It’s so easy to toss salmon, chicken breast, burgers, or veggies into that perfect little cooking machine. An air fryer makes life so much easier when it comes to cooking. Even the kids can cook with it.
5. Embrace “Good Enough” Fun
This is your annual reminder that it’s okay if your kids’ summer memories are mostly backyard mud and popsicles — not European cruises. You don’t need to host a parade every Saturday. Simple outdoor activities like water balloons, walks to the local park, or letting them eat lunch in the grass totally count as magical childhood moments. Think of your childhood memories. Sometimes running through the sprinkler or chasing the ice cream truck are more memorable than the vacations.
6. Say “No” With No Extras
You don’t need to justify your boundaries. Saying no is enough. If you need a script:
- “Not this time, but thank you.”
- “I’ve got too much on my plate.”
- “We’re keeping it low-key this weekend.”
Protecting your peace is one of the best ways to make your life better this summer — and maybe even for the next year. And the year after that. And the year after that.
7. Break Up With Toxic Social Media Vibes
Summer is the perfect opportunity to mute or unfollow accounts that make you feel like trash. I promise, that mom with six kids, flawless hair, and a white couch that never stains is NOT real. Curate your feed with positivity, not perfectionism. Follow creators who remind you to rest, not hustle.
8. Move Your Body, But Move it Your Way
Exercise is important — not to chase a six-pack, but to support your energy levels, mental clarity, and overall health (especially when daily life already feels like an Olympic sport). Aim for at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity movement — that can be brisk walks, dancing while you clean, biking with your kid, or power-walking through Target like it’s cardio (because it totally is).
You don’t need to be a gym rat— just consistency. Movement is one of the best ways to make your life better this summer, and when it fits into your actual lifestyle, it stops feeling like a chore and starts feeling like freedom.
9. Create a “Timeout” Spot
Even if it’s a chair shoved in a corner with a fan and a stack of library books, make yourself a sanctuary. Spending time alone is not selfish — it’s survival. And it’s a great time to read that good book you’ve been ignoring since last summer.
10. Create a Cool-Down Ritual
You’re hot. You’re cranky. And someone just asked what’s for dinner… again. It’s the perfect recipe for a meltdown. When your patience is fried and your brain feels like it’s running on low battery, having a go-to reset can be a lifesaver.
Whether it’s a quick cool shower that rinses away the irritability, a swipe of peppermint lotion that tingles your skin back to life, an icy drink that chills you from the inside out, or a little portable fan you can aim straight at your face, these tiny rituals can make a massive difference. They don’t solve every problem, but they create just enough breathing room for you to regroup, reclaim your sanity, and maybe even answer the dinner question without snapping.
11. Keep Emergency Snacks
This isn’t a joke. Low blood sugar plus high temps equals instant rage monster. Keep snacks in your car, bag, and nightstand — anywhere you’re likely to lose it. Protein bars, nuts, or anything that doesn’t melt will save your sanity when meals get delayed or life gets hectic.
12. Escape With a Summer Show
Pick a show that requires zero brain cells. This isn’t the season for heavy documentaries or subtitles. Old sitcoms, trashy reality TV, or that drama you’re years late to are perfect. You’re not wasting time — you’re recharging your brain and protecting your peace.
13. Use the “One-Thing” Rule
When everything feels like too much, just pick one thing to make life easier. Unload the dishwasher nightly. Take a short walk. Breathe before daycare pickup. Small, consistent actions beat overwhelm every time.
14. Make a “Hot Mom Survival Kit”
Toss these in a cute bag and live your best life:
- Deodorant
- Blotting papers
- Hair clip
- Body wipes
- Mini fan
- Lip balm with SPF
- Sunscreen
Summer season survival starts with not feeling like a melted candle at the farmer’s market.
15. Guard Your “Me Time” Like a Dragon
You need unscheduled time in your week. Not “time to catch up on laundry” or “time to run errands” — actual time where you do whatever the hell you want, even if that’s sitting in your car in silence with an iced coffee and no pants on.
Even just 90 minutes of true downtime — no responsibilities, no multitasking, no guilt — can reset your brain, lower your stress, and help you stop resenting every living person in your house.
Stop giving all your free time away like it’s endless. It’s not. Your time is valuable, and protecting it isn’t lazy — it’s survival. This is your official permission slip to rest without needing to “earn it.”
16. Put Feel-Good Outfits Front and Center
Dig out 3–5 comfy, cute outfits that make you feel like a functioning human — even on the days when your soul is melting and your brain is running on fumes and iced coffee. Hang them where you can actually see them, not buried in the laundry abyss.
These are your “no-thinking-required” outfits for when you need to get dressed and keep your last nerve intact. Breathable, soft, flattering-ish — whatever makes you feel pulled together without trying too hard.
Because when your clothes don’t make you want to cry, it’s way easier to handle everything else that does.
17. Get Better Sleep Gear
A new mattress can honestly change your life — better sleep, fewer aches, and way less crankiness. But if a new mattress isn’t in the budget right now, don’t underestimate the power of small upgrades. A bamboo pillowcase, cooling blanket, or breathable sheets can make a huge difference in how well you sleep (and how much patience you have the next day).
Sleep is a foundational part of emotional health — and being hot, sweaty, and miserable at night throws everything off. Consider it a good reason to browse those summer sales and make rest feel a little more like actual rest.
18. Pick a Positive Affirmation for Anxiety That Doesn’t Suck
You don’t need some fluffy affirmation about being a glowing goddess of abundance. You need something that keeps you from spiraling in the middle of a Target run with a screaming toddler and 14 unread texts from work. Try these instead:
“I’m doing the best I can.”
“This is temporary.”
“I can rest without earning it.”
Repeat them like a stubborn little chant until your anxiety gives up and walks away to bother someone else. It might feel silly at first, but anchoring yourself with a solid, realistic phrase is one of those small changes that can make a huge impact on your emotional health — especially during the chaos of summer days.
19. Celebrate What You Did Do
Instead of staring at a to-do list that judges you silently from the fridge, start tracking what you already did. It’s a great way to remind yourself you’re not lazy — you’re just out here doing 47 invisible tasks no one notices.
Your “done list” might look like:
- Brushed teeth
- Answered that one email you’ve been avoiding
- Ordered groceries (even if you forgot half the list)
- Didn’t scream into the void
- Got everyone fed
- Walked to the mailbox — counts as cardio
- Texted back your friend instead of ghosting again
- Drank water before coffee (for once)
Sometimes, realizing how much you have done is way more motivating than staring at a list of stuff still waiting to crush your soul.
20. One of the BEST Ways to Make Your Life Better This Summer: Sunscreen
This is not the summer you walk around with sticky white streaks, greasy skin, or smelling like expired coconuts from that mystery bottle you found in last year’s beach bag. You deserve a sunscreen that actually works and doesn’t make you regret having skin.
Try a lightweight lotion, non-greasy spray, or mess-free stick — something you can reapply every 2 hours without needing a full shower afterward. Bonus points if it doesn’t sting your eyes the second you sweat (because no one needs their retinas assaulted just for trying to be responsible).
There are amazing options now that feel more like skincare than glue. Some even blur your skin, don’t leave a cast, and smell like you’re vacationing — not marinating. Finding one that works for your daily life (and your car glovebox, purse, or kid’s backpack) is one of those small changes that makes a huge difference during the summer months.
It’s not just sun protection — it’s emotional protection.
21. Check in Weekly With Yourself
Set a 5-minute calendar alert on Sunday and ask:
- What made me happy last week?
- What drained me?
- What do I want more of?
These little ways of checking in make a huge difference in how the next week feels.
22. Make a Summer Soundtrack That Slaps
Create a playlist that actually lifts your mood — not one full of sad acoustic covers or background noise that makes you feel like you’re stuck in a dentist’s office. Think bold, fun, and energizing. Add songs that match your current summer goals: chill and grounded, hype and unbothered, or “just trying to survive bedtime without losing it.”
Music helps regulate emotions, boosts your energy, and turns even the most boring daily life tasks — like dishes or driving in silence — into a vibe. Whether you’re dancing in the kitchen or zoning out in the car, your summer soundtrack can make a huge difference in how the day feels.
23. Try Something New (But Not Draining)
Summer is an ideal time to dabble. Not to master, not to commit, not to reinvent your entire life. Just to try. Maybe you sign up for a free online course that sparks your curiosity, join a low-pressure book club, check out a local community event, or pick up a hobby that doesn’t require 30 YouTube tutorials to get started. It’s about exploring without expectations, stretching your brain a little without abandoning your comfort zone. You don’t have to be good at it. You just have to let yourself be curious.
24. Let Good Enough Be Good Enough
Your summer does not need to be optimized, aesthetic, or productive. You don’t need a vision board, a color-coded schedule, or a family scrapbook to prove you made memories. You need, support, and space to be human — to laugh, to mess around, to eat chips for dinner without guilt. That is personal development: learning to let go of pressure and give yourself permission to just be. You need days that feel slow and simple.
The Beauty of Summer Isn’t in Doing More — It’s in Doing Less With Intention
The most important thing to remember? You don’t have to do it all.
Take the pressure off. Take yourself seriously. And take small steps that move the needle in your favor.
This summer can be a fresh start, a season of slowing down, or a little bit of both. Whether you’re using your extra time for mindfulness practices, trying a new language, spending time at the local farmer’s market, or just surviving the school year chaos, there’s no wrong way to do it — as long as you’re honoring what you need.
Real self-care isn’t another task on your to-do list. It’s how you show up for yourself when life is a little (or a lot) too much.
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