Many of us have been stuck inside for far too long.
As many communities begin to open up once again we are looking for the best ways to transition back out into the sun.
As we do so it is important to consider how we can stay safe, protect our skin, and stay healthy.
The sun is amazing but if we do not take care of ourselves we could cause unnecessary long term damage to our bodies, which is the last thing any of us wants to do.
One place to begin is to look at our skincare routines.
For many of us we have been wearing less makeup and other products while we have been stuck inside.
If we are considering wearing makeup again after going barefaced in quarantine it is important to consider a tinted moisturizer or other product that contains SPF to protect our skin.
We may find that our skin has forgotten the sun. The last thing we want is to deal with burnt and chapped skin; instead, we want to have healthy skin with a nice tan.
If we show our skin some love it will glow and make us feel the best we can feel.
Next we can consider what we want to wear out and about. Is there a brightly colored outfit we can pull out for the summer season?
Maybe there is an accessory that will bring a spring to our step such as a favorite travel coffee cup, a hat, or a cool pair of sunglasses.
We might consider supporting a local business and picking up a few items to celebrate the new season. Or if we are particularly crafty we might consider making our own accessories.
These may seem like small fashion details but they can really make ourselves feel comfortable as we get out for longer and longer walks and get to breathe in the fresh air.
Once we are ready to go out, it’s a matter of finding interesting places to safely social distance.
No matter if we live in a city, town, small village, or a rural area there is nature to explore all around us.
Studies have shown that nature in all its forms can both boost our immune systems and increase our mental wellness.
So we all should do a google search and find a trail, or park, or nature preserve around us to explore for the first time, or the first time in a long while. You are surrounded by nature so take a moment and really enjoy it.
Finally realize you need to transition slowly back outside. If you try to do too much too quickly you will struggle.
Just like getting fit, planning to do one or two items a day is more productive than planning on going to the gym for 8 hours in one day.
So start small like reading outside or going for a short walk around the neighborhood, then maybe do some gardening or a short hike, and only then planning a full day outing in the sun.
The goal is to feel great about ourselves not to feel achy and tired because we decided we just have to overdo it. It has been a while so we should always start at the beginning.
Summer is on its way. Let’s celebrate. The sun will feel good on our skin. The wind will feel good in our hair.
Bright colors and green trees will make us feel better physically, emotionally, and mentally.
So go forth and enjoy summer while making good choices so that our time in the sun does not cause us any pain or suffering.
We must take advantage of all the wondrous forms of nature all around us to help us feel free, happy, and beautiful.