6 Activities To Boost Your Energy This Summer

Now that summer is in full swing, the weekends are packed with some of my favorite activities: barbecues, beach days, and nights on the town. It’s the busiest time of the year for us, and many others who live in the “Great Northeast”. Why? Well, let’s just say things get a bit chilly towards the end of September.

But lately I feel myself facing the same dilemma that I deal with every year. I work full time, and my remaining days off are spent playing catchup. This means cleaning, organizing, prepping meals, and doing all of the things that we were too tired to do during the week. It’s exhausting, and I’m literally always behind on something. I know I’m probably not alone here, but I’m much more aware of it during the summer months when there are millions of things I would rather be doing.

During the summer, the days are long and the nights are warm, and it’s hard not to feel like we have to take advantage of every second. When winter rolls around, I’ll be perfectly okay with sitting on my butt and watching some Netflix. Who wouldn’t be?  But it’s way too tempting to avoid those responsibilities when the beach is calling my name.

Between the normal routine and whatever else life decides to throw at us, we all start feeling a bit bogged down. Our time is stretched so thin that nothing is getting 100%. And who wants to feel like they have no energy when it’s beautiful outside? Not me! Here are 6 things you can do to boost your energy, and get the most out of your summer!

1. Challenge yourself with a difficult hike

I’m an avid hiker, and there’s nothing better than conquering a huge mountain and getting to see the view. Its extremely satisfying, and it always leaves you with a sense of accomplishment. You can do it independently, or with as many people as you want. The great part about hiking is that there’s always something new to see; either a new perspective or a whole new mountain.

Most of the hiking that I’ve done has been in the White Mountains, which start in New Hampshire and turn into the Apalacian Trail, which travels all the way to Georgia. If you’re just getting in to hiking, start out small. There are tons of trails that are 1-3 miles of semi flat terrain, and they still offer a great view/destination! Plus it’s a great way to get some fresh air and clear your mind.

2. Lawn games

These probably sound corny to some of you, but they’re surprisingly fun! Badminton, Cornhole, Horse Shoes, and Volley Ball are among some of the options, and they don’t need to take up much space. We have a condo, so we never thought we had room for these types of things. But as long as you’re not a professional volley ball player or anything, it works!

These are a great way to get the whole family together, and unwind with some laughs and exercise. If you have a job like mine, than you spend most of the day inside. It always makes me tired and groggy at the end of the day, which can throw off my mood big time. But being outside and getting some sun completely turns it around!

3. Take a dip

If you have a pool I’m very jealous, because that would make this task way easier. But luckily I am surrounded by lakes, so every now and then I’ll go for a swim. Lately it’s been in the 90s here, so it’s almost unbearable at times. Kyle works outside, so he loves to take a swim after work and relax a bit.

If you have the time, just float around and let yourself cool down. I know you’re probably thinking, “This is supposed to boost energy?” But somehow it does! Every time I get out of the water I feel so refreshed and calm. Unless it’s the ocean and there’s kids screaming and throwing sand everywhere.. Then you’re in for it.

4. Take your dinner outside

We are very lucky to have a patio and a little dining setup that we can eat our dinner at. But if you don’t have the space, plan a picnic! It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just pack the necessities and get out of the house for a while. Forget about the dishes and the laundry; trust me, they’ll still be there when you get back.

Clear your mind of all those little, useless worries, and take in the world around you. Sometimes I get so busy that I forget how beautiful this place is. I forget to appreciate it, and for what? Vacuuming my rug? Please. This is a great way to spend some time with your better half and decompress a bit too.

5. Start taking walks/runs in the morning

I’ll be the first to admit that waking up early is far from easy. Sometimes it takes a little extra push to get ourselves going, and find that motivation. Find yourself a workout partner, and walk around your neighborhood before work each morning. If you’re feeling really motivated, run! Lately I’ve been running in the early morning on the beach with one of my best friends. It’s very quiet and calming, and it allows you to see everything when it’s not busy.

I used to work out in the evening after work, but I found that it was just making me more tired. I wasn’t able to give it my all because I had nothing left, and it was really taking a toll on my health and fitness goals. It doesn’t work for everyone, but I highly recommend atleast trying it. I promise, you might still feel tired, but you’ll start your day with way more energy and you get to see the sun come up rather than go down!

6. A change of scenery

Sometimes when you’ve stared at the same 4 walls for too long, it can suck the energy right out of you. Take a step back from the laundry and the daily chores to see something new. Drive or walk to a place you haven’t been to in a while, or maybe at all. Let yourself forget about all the things that need to be done, and stop allowing yourself to be pulled in 50 different directions. There’s so much more to see.

What do you do to boost your energy in the summer? What are some of your favorite summer activities?