By Nika Bosnic, for Summersalt Yoga

With the arrival of summertime (just a few more days until the summer officially begins!) we see different action plans popping up everywhere: diet, fitness detox plans, you name it.

I’ve never really been a fan of such plans because they would normally try to change your habits overnight and all at once. We’ve all done this. Waking up early, doing HIIT in the morning, meditating for 20 minutes, cutting out sugar completely, getting at least 8-hour sleep, etc. Let’s be honest, the plan lasted for a week or so before we switched back to our old and not-so-healthy habits.

So sticking to a habit can be difficult and we easily get disrupted because, hey, life keeps piling it on. And yet, for every problem, there is a solution and after every failure, there is a success.

So here it is, THE plan that will change your life, turn you into the best version of yourself, and leave you more self-confident and glowing inside-out than ever. Well, not really. Unfortunately, there are no shortcuts when it comes to habits, and building new habits that will last more than a week (and that’s the goal, right?)takes time and determination. But the results are definitely rewarding.

The list that follows is basically just my favorite tips & tricks that I’ve learned on my way of trying and failing and that will hopefully give you the motivational boost. Please note that everyone is different. No one should follow my choices exactly — you’ve got to figure out what works for you the best but at least now you have certain guidelines that might help you through and make the whole process much easier.

That said, every plan needs RULES. So the rules for the “FEEL GOOD” Summer Action Plan are as follows:

1. Each day has a different focus or theme for you to remember and follow it easily.
2. It’s a 7-day plan. Wondering why? To focus and devote all your energy on one habit per day and then slowly adding new habits. I suggest to start on Monday (new week – new beginnings) and end on Sunday.
3. Write them down. Just telling ourselves, either loud or quietly, that we’re going to change isn’t enough. So I highly recommend to grab a list of paper or your phone and have suggestions written or even to set reminders for what the theme is each day.
4. Consistency is the key! Practice, practice, and again…practise. You don’t have to devote several hours a day to practice new habits, You can easily fit them into your usual everyday routine. And remember, if you are consistent, rewards will follow.

OK, so now we have the rules but you probably want to know the seven themes. Here they are, my suggestions to make a difference to your overall wellbeing, in my order of preference (yours of course may be different):

DAY ONE: LEMON to kick-start the day

Start your day with lemon water, apple cider vinegar, and warm water- then follow it with another glass of warm water before breakfast (ideally, 10-20 minutes before breakfast).

Drinking warm lemon water first thing in the morning can help flush the digestive system and rehydrate the body.

DAY TWO: MINDFUL EATING

Before each meal today, take 5 deep breaths then chew your food well, trying to take in all the flavors. Stop eating when you are full and rather aim to have 3 main meals a day and healthy snacks in-between (such as fruits, nuts, yogurt with chia seeds, little hummus with carrots) if you are too hungry. Also, take time for your meals and don’t have distractions like your phone or the TV around you.

DAY THREE: CUT OFF THE SUGAR

OK, this one is difficult, but you can do it! Try not to have any unnecessary sugar from today until the end of the 7-day Plan. Instead, you can have fruits, dates, a handful of nuts, or some dark chocolate.

DAY FOUR: START MOVING

Challenge yourself by spending at least 30 minutes a day moving.

It can be either a walk in nature, switching your car with a bicycle for a change, trying that new dance class that your friend was telling you about, or trying one of pilates or yoga videos on YouTube. Options are limitless and I am sure each can find something for him/herself. This can be a nice opportunity to find out what really suits you and what doesn’t. For instance, Day 4 can be walking, on Day 5 you can add light running, Day 6 can be morning yoga flow and you may end the Plan with Day 7 doing a short strength training (check Nike Training App for ideas).

DAY FIVE: ME-TIME

Take time for yourself and do something you have always wanted to but had too little time for. Some suggestions: take a bath, visit old friends, read your favorite book again, indulge yourself with a fancy dinner, plan the next trip, or yoga retreat , whatever makes you happy.

DAY SIX: BEAUTY SLEEP

Strive to have at least 8-hour sleep. Do some stretching and make yourself a cup of hot chocolate with cinnamon or golden turmeric latte before sneaking into bed. Sleep tight!

DAY SEVEN: MIND JOURNAL

Take 5 minutes to write down how you feel after a week of developing the new habits. Was it difficult? Were you consistent? Take an extra 5 minutes to journal your wishes, goals, any thought you might have concerning new habits. Have you learn’t something new about yourself, were you surprised by something? Remember, there is no right or wrong answer, whatever feeling you have is OK. This might help you to set your goals and intentions for the future.

AND NOW?

Congratulations, you’ve finished the “FEEL GOOD” Summer Action Plan and you should be very proud of it. It may be a small step toward your goals but you’ve proven yourself that you CAN.  Bravo!

It’s up to you to decide how to continue. You can go on practicing the habits you’ve learned during the first week and slowly (once you are ready) adding new habits. It takes time for a habit to become a routine and for a routine to become a lifestyle. But it’s the journey, not the destination that matters!

The post The 7 day “FEEL GOOD” summer action plan appeared first on Summersalt Yoga Retreats.

By Vanessa Fleming, Summersalt Yoga teacher

Summertime is upon us! Which means all kinds of fun! Beach time, outdoor events, festivals, swimming, you name it!

And in summer, it’s easy to abandon our regular routines in lieu of fun and living in the moment. Living in the moment is awesome and amazing! But sometimes it can also mean indulging in some bad habits…one too many beers, one too many barbeques, one too many hours in the sun…

Here are some ways to keep mindfulness about you as the sun turns up and the days stay long.

KEEP HYDRATED

Make a commitment to keep up the water intake. We forego the water when we are out and about in the summer days and daze, simply because we lose awareness. Make a commitment to drink enough water. Drink a full glass of water every 1-2 hours (2 glasses if you are in the sun!). Set a timer, make yourself a reminder. Not only will you feel better, but you are continuing to cultivate mindfulness through conscious awareness.

WEAR A HAT OR COVER UP AND USE SUNSCREEN

We are all guilty of this at some point in our lives. And we usually realize when it’s too late, after the sun has gotten us. Not only does too much sun exposure create skin burns, but it also dehydrates us, makes us prone to illness, and can deplete our vitamins and energy. The sun is a vital tool to strength and energy as long as we use it correctly! Also remember, the sun is extra sneaky on cloudy days. These are the days when we forget the sun’s power and we get wrecked. When you’re getting ready to go out for the day, incorporate sunscreen application to you daily routine (30-50 SPF as the months get hotter). Always re-apply when getting out of water, and carry hats and light weight cover ups to protect your skin. Make it part of a ritual!

GO EASY ON THE DRINKS

Ah, summer cocktails are the best. It’s so easy to just indulge as you’re hanging out and enjoying life. It’s also so easy to overdo it. This one goes hand in hand with staying hydrated and being in the sun. The sun will naturally deplete you, and alcohol exacerbates that as well. Try swapping for non-alcoholic refreshments every other drink.  Your decision making skills will be in better tact, which is what mindfulness is all about. (Your wallet will also thank you).

TAKE WALKS

What better way to really appreciate this time of year than to just be completely immersed in it?! Walks on the beach or in nature connects us with what is going on right now. Stop and pick up treasures along the way, smell the flowers, connect with the surroundings. Each pause can create a connection, a lasting imprint on our souls, and a  deeper sense to what is in us and around us.

SPEND TIME WITH FRIENDS

And of course, doing all of this with your favorite people makes it even better. Take the time to put down the phones and devices, and really find the moments to bask in the sunny days with the beautiful people around you. Each laugh is worth a lifetime…embrace, love, let go, and be free!

The post Cultivate mindfulness in summer months appeared first on Summersalt Yoga Retreats.