We’ve all had a super annoying 14 months.

(Yes, I’m aging COVID like it’s a child… because it’s kept people awake at night just the same!)

It’s time to have a badass summer. These tips apply to everyone — whether or not you fear COVID, whether or not you’ve been jabbed, whether or not you’re employed right now, whether or not you’re butthurt about something political, etc.

Can we all just forget that shit for five minutes and have a good time? #FFS

Tip #1: Get sunlight in your eyeballs first thing in the morning.

Getting in the natural blue light and triggering brightness in your eyes first thing in the morning prepares you for the day by raising your natural cortisol levels and evening out your circadian rhythm. This means better energy during the day (more time for ACTIVITIES!) and better sleep at night.

Tip #2: Support your liver.

We all know we need it… myself included.

I love me some Claws just as much as the next basic 30-something, but we need to remember to love our livers too. This means eating foods that are in whole form, properly prepared, and packed full of nutrients. This might also mean adding in supplements or adjuncts like dandelion tea, licorice tea, beets, organ meats, etc.

Tip #3: Choose a safe sunscreen.

And by safe, I mean one that’s not full of toxic chemicals. By all means, go frolic in the sunshine, but be safe — on both ends of the spectrum: 1) protect yourself, but 2) don’t let the common brands you know fool you into thinking you’re not at risk for other health issues, like hormone disruption.

My favorites are the options from Beautycounter, Kiss My Face, and Thrive Market. Mineral sunscreens = yaaaas. You can read more about the toxic additives in traditional, over-the-counter brands here.

Tip #4: Choose (and actually do) the kinds of exercise you actually enjoy.

Forcing yourself into high-intensity interval training (HIIT) when you love yoga is so 2020.

It’s time to get serious about what actually makes you feel good, alive, and gets your blood pumping happily. Forcing yourself into a box you don’t belong in can cause more stress in the long run, and we all have ENOUGH of that shit in our lives.

They always say — the best exercise for your goals is the kind you’ll actually show up for consistently.

Tip #5: Prioritize rest, relaxation, recovery, and doing nothing (sometimes).

We’re always so go-go-go in this country. Why? Other countries don’t do this?

Why are we so obsessed with productivity?

And the ironic thing is, the more we force ourselves to keep working, pushing, doing… the less work actually gets done. This has been proven in the scientific literature time and time again.

So this summer, forgetttabbottit! Kick up your heels once in a while and take a half day. Workout, rest, read, or just sit there doing nothing… without your phone. Seriously. We forget how much we can daydream and heal our brains when we never allow ourselves to be bored.

On that note, don’t forget to make sure you take AS MANY DAYS AS NECESSARY to recover from workouts. A lot of my clients experience burnout and weight gain because they don’t let themselves recover properly.

Tip #6: Make sure you’re drinking enough water and getting your minerals in.

With summer comes heat and humidity, and with those comes excess sweating and mineral loss.

Don’t just drink plain water. Add quality sea salt to it or try my favorite brand of electrolyte powder to add.

Tip #7: Check out your local city/town/village’s events and opportunities for new ways to engage with your community.

And no need to fear because it’ll all probably be outdoors.

But for real, we’ve been disconnected from our local communities for far too long now. It’s time to get involved. Plus a lot of these things will be free or be within walking distance from where you live. Grab that very reluctant significant other or best friend and force them to go with you. You’ll both end up having way more fun than you can predict.

Tip #8: Give up Netflix for a little while.

I’m all for a good binge, but they’re way more useful to you when there’s two feet of snow outside.

The sun’s out. Shut off the device and go sit outside. Read a book. Have a glass of wine with someone on a patio. Go for a walk. Go pick up the dog poop from the backyard. ANYTHING outside that doesn’t involve a screen, at any and all times of the day. There are no limits here.

Life is going on around you while you take hours off your own with 45 seasons of Grey’s Anatomy. Go live it. McDreamy isn’t going anywhere.

Tip #9: Hug your loved ones.

Because it’s time, if you haven’t yet.

I realize there’s heavy sarcasm in this post, but I mean what I say! I look around at the way this pandemic has changed our human interactions and I cringe at the thought. It’s time to find ways to embrace our genes — the ones meant to be in the company of others, spending time outdoors, and appreciating all that life and community has to offer.

What are your thoughts? What sarcastic suggestions would you add? Comment below and share with a friend!