My Seasonal Summer Wellness Routine
I'm in Los Angeles and feeling inspired to maintain my daily wellness routine, with a few specific seasonal tweaks.
Hello from Los Angeles! We’re on the west coast right now visiting family (and my brand new nephew) - in between quality time with my sister and sneaking in baby snuggles, I’m excited to enjoy LA’s legendary plant-based food scene. I already had some of the best vegan ice cream I’ve ever tasted and a fully plant-based mushroom and caramelized onion Neapolitan pizza that would rival our beloved NYC area pizza joints. I’ll put together a mini-LA guide once I’m home with our favorite places that we ate (including the ice cream and pizza shops I just mentioned), so stay tuned for that.
In addition to the many great places to eat, LA is arguably the wellness epicenter of the United States. From Pilates studios to luxe infrared sauna boutiques to modern apothecaries, Los Angeles is brimming with all of the latest health trends. As much as I don’t believe that wellness has to be exclusive or expensive, it’s hard to deny that being here is inspiring to keep going the extra mile to live my healthiest life. Feeling good - physically, mentally, spiritually - is addictive!
The warm weather (both here and at home) make it so much easier to stick to my pre-existing daily healthy living habits. I crave lighter, fresher foods, my appetite is more regulated, it’s easier to find motivation to exercise and increased daylight hours does wonders for my energy levels. I have a few additional seasonal wellness habits that I like to implement in the summer, specifically:
My Summer Wellness Routine
Most mornings, I’ve taken to having my coffee outside on the front porch. I love starting my day with natural sunlight, which has been linked with improved mood, better nighttime sleep and more balanced cortisol levels. I leave my phone inside and instead listen to the birds, write in my journal or read.
Whenever I’m outside at home, tending to my garden, playing with my kids or refilling the bird feeder, I go barefoot. “Earthing” for 5-10 minutes a day is believed to transfer the earth’s natural charge to our bodies, which can potentially neutralize free radicals, reduce inflammation, increase immune function, speed healing and reduce pain, and improve sleep, mood and stress response.
I’ve been practicing dry-brushing on and off for many years, but I make it a regular practice during the summer. Not only does it increase lymphatic flow, it improves blood circulation and is a great exfoliant, keeping summer skin soft and glowy. This is the brush I use - I do it right before showering, starting at my feet and working upwards in long, sweeping strokes. The whole practice takes less than 5 minutes, and is a great de-stressor too.
I make a lot of sun-tea in the summer, and especially love incorporating herbs we grow in our garden that have adaptogenic properties. Tulsi and lemon balm are easy to grow, taste great and have wonderful health benefits: both are known to support overall wellbeing, reduce stress, promote relaxation, and support immunity. Tulsi, specifically, is rich in antioxidants and may help with cognitive function and good digestion. Once the sun tea is done brewing outside, I’ll transfer it to the fridge to cool down. I’ll drink it over ice with a wedge of lemon a few times a day all summer long.
I’ll add a few drops of essential oils (specifically ylang ylang, sandalwood or jasmine) to a simple body oil that I’ll lightly apply to my legs, arms and torso after an evening bath or shower. It’s such a lovely, simple self-care ritual, and I change the essential oils out depending on the season.
In Italy, there’s a customary post-dinner stroll known as passeggiata; since the weather has warmed up, I’ve been trying to do this as much as possible. It’s a great way to close out the day, especially if you’re walking with loved ones. Taking an after-dinner walk is also linked to noticeably improved blood sugar control, decreased blood pressure, better digestion, elevated mood and sounder sleep, increased circulation and may aid in weight loss.
Love seeing what others do to care for themselves in simple and sustainable ways. The post-meal walk is soooo big. And I LOVE my dry brush, the best feeling. I also love to turn my shower to the coldest setting when I’m done for a quick little burst/jolt of temp change. It’s very refreshing in the summer too— but admittedly challenging to maintain in the colder months. 🤣
I love this post! Every suggestion you discussed for better health and well being has zero downside to it. Even better, there are no serious side effects - that's more than can be said for most pharmaceutical drugs and other medical modalities that are marketed as the solution to all that ails you. What's the worst that can happen if you eat healthy foods, get plenty of sun (judiciously), take strolls with loved ones, practice grounding.... Keep prescribing - I'll be taking notes.