Summer’s Calling—Will You Answer? 📞

“And at the end of the day, your feet should be dirty, your hair messy, and your eyes sparkling.” -Shanti

Alright y’all, you’ve probably gathered by now just how much I love a good schedule. Time blocking, daily routines, consistent habits—I’m here for all of it. One of my biggest non-negotiables is going to bed early so I can wake up refreshed and ready to kick butt all day long… well, at least until about 8 p.m., when those early wakeups finally catch up with me.

But here’s the thing—it’s summertime. My favorite season. The days are long, and I’m here for it… mostly. I still wake up early, but unlike winter, I’m not tired by 8 p.m. anymore. Is it the endless daylight? My obsession with summer and its fleeting magic? Or just mountain-town living where we only get a few golden months to soak it all in?

I recently heard a friend say, “These are the months where we stay up late, wake up early, and try to rally all day long.” That really stuck with me. It made me wonder—maybe this summer surge isn’t just a personal thing. Maybe we’re biologically wired for it. In winter, we naturally cozy up and wind down early. But summer? Maybe it’s our primal instinct kicking in—back in our hunter-gatherer days, this was go-time: long days to fish, forage, work the land, and move our bodies.

So the question becomes: How do we maximize these long summer days without burning out? Keep reading for some of my favorite seasonal wellness tips and ways to make the most of this wild, light-filled time of year. 🌞

Lean Into the Summer Chaos:

Tip number one? When in Rome. If you feel pulled to do, do, do—then heck yes, go do! If late-night campfires with the family, spontaneous drinks with friends on a Wednesday, summer concerts, impromptu camping trips, and early morning adventures light you up, then lean in and enjoy the ride.

Will you feel a little burned out come fall? Maybe. But once the cold, rainy days hit, you’ll be so glad you squeezed every drop out of summer. So my first piece of advice? Say yes. Say yes to fun, to connection, to memories, and to living like it’s your favorite season—because it is. 😊

The Little Things Add Up:

Okay, summer is here and you’re maximizing the days—heck yes, go you! But with all this fun, you might not be getting as much sleep as usual. So here’s the deal: if sleep is taking a hit, do your best to maintain the other pillars of the health and wellness spectrum I always talk about—Eat, Sleep, Train, Think, Connect. Life is about balance, and when one area dips, you can still support your overall wellness by keeping the others steady.

Summer socializing is amazing, but let’s be real—it often throws our eating routines out the window. Between road trip snacks (hello gas station goodies 🙋‍♀️) and spontaneous ice cream runs, it’s easy to go full chaos mode. So here’s my trick: I try to anchor the day with little healthy choices that add up. Eat the carrots before the chips. Say yes to the late-night ice cream with the kids, but also say yes to a solid egg scramble the next morning instead of syrup-soaked pancakes. I’m learning it doesn’t have to be all or nothing. You can have fun and fuel yourself.

Also—did you know summer sleep struggles aren’t just about longer daylight? Warmer temps can totally throw off your sleep cycle too. If you’re like me and live in the mountains (with no A/C 🙃), now’s your friendly reminder to prep your sleep setup. Get those fans or swamp coolers ready so your room stays at that sweet sleep temperature. Trust me, it’ll help you recover and keep that summer stoke alive.

Listen to Your Body:

Along the same lines—don’t let fitness completely fall off your radar. The good news? In the summer, it’s usually easier to stay active just by getting outside and moving. But if you’re someone who transforms into the most social butterfly ever (🙋‍♀️) and those late-night dinners and concerts make it hard to get up for your usual early morning workouts, you might need a plan. Try setting 2–3 non-negotiable workout days each week. And don’t forget—workouts can look different this time of year, and that’s totally okay.

Personally, I’m usually a die-hard CrossFitter, hitting the gym 4–5 days a week. But in the summer? That drops to 3… maybe 4… and sometimes even 2. 😬 Every year, it stresses me out a little, but I remind myself that I’m trading that gym time for tons of hiking, biking, paddleboarding, and just being active outdoors in general.

This summer, I’m really trying to listen to my body more. Take this morning: I had already done two hikes and two CrossFit workouts this week, and I had a 4-hour mountain bike ride planned for the afternoon. Normally, I would’ve still gone to the 6 a.m. class and doubled up. But today, I set my alarm for 5:40 a.m. and stretched instead—something that’s soooo hard for me, because I’m always itching to jump into “doing mode” as soon as I wake up. But my body was clearly asking for a slower start, and I’m learning to honor that.

Maximize Rainy Days:

Did you know studies show people are actually more productive at work on rainy days than on sunny ones? And if you live in Idaho, you know we’re spoiled with a lot of sunshine during the summer. But at some point… you do have to work, right? (Okay, that’s a deeper topic for another newsletter, but let’s assume for now the answer is yes.)

So here’s the tip: pull out your weather app and look ahead. Any rainy days in the forecast? Great—start time-blocking that day for deep-focus work projects, home organizing, house cleaning, or that one task you’ve been putting off for months. Rainy days can be golden for productivity—if you’re ready for them.

And even if there’s no actual rain in sight, maybe you need to create your own metaphorical rainy day. Set aside one day each week to catch up—not just on work, but on life. This could mean getting household chores done, grocery shopping, organizing, or even slowing down to rest and recover. You’ve likely spent the other six days going hard with adventures, travel, and socializing. Your body and brain might just need a reset. Sleep in. Stretch. Refuel. It’s not lazy—it’s strategic.

Turn That TV Off:

If you’re going hard all day long, I know how tempting it is to crash on the couch and throw on a Netflix show. But here’s my advice: go to bed instead. Rest when you can so you’re ready to say yes to those spontaneous moments—whether it’s a late-night dinner with friends or “watching the stars come out” with your kiddos. Save your energy for memories, not mindless scrolling.

I’ll admit though, sometimes I’m just done and want nothing more than to curl up for a family movie night. In fact, we’ve tried to plan it twice recently…and both times it didn’t happen because the kids got so caught up playing outside. One night they were building a fort in the backyard, the other they were running wild through the sprinklers. I was tired and honestly kind of bummed we didn’t get to just relax—but my heart was so full seeing them choose the outdoors over screens. That kind of magic doesn’t happen often. So when it does, I’m all in. 🌙

Summer Wellness Tips to Thrive (Not Just Survive!)

I asked ChatGPT about studies on humans and summertime, and it offered up this adorable and spot-on list of wellness tips. They felt so aligned with what I try to live by—and share with y’all—I just had to include them here!

1. Get Outside Early
Start your day with some sunshine. Whether it’s a quick walk, morning hike, or sipping coffee on the porch, morning light helps regulate your circadian rhythm, boosts your mood, and gives you a natural energy kick.

2. Hydrate Like It’s Your Job
Hot temps + more activity = dehydration sneaks up fast. Aim for at least half your body weight in ounces of water daily—and more if you’re sweating it out on trails or yard work duty.

3. Create a “Summer Evening Ritual”
Instead of defaulting to chores or screens, create a wind-down routine you actually love—sunset paddles, journaling in the backyard, reading in a hammock…whatever feels dreamy.

4. Keep Bedtime (Mostly) Consistent
Yes, the long days are magical—but sleep still matters. Aim to go to bed within 30–60 minutes of your usual time, even after a lake day or backyard BBQ.

5. Eat Seasonally & Simply
Load up on fresh berries, leafy greens, grilled veggies—whatever your local farmers market is bursting with. Your digestion and your taste buds will thank you.

6. Microadventures = Macro Joy
You don’t need a plane ticket to feel alive. A sunrise bike ride, after-dinner SUP, or spontaneous hike with a friend can bring huge joy with minimal planning.

7. Soak Up Social Time
We’re naturally more social in summer, so lean in! Host a potluck, say yes to the picnic, or invite a neighbor for a coffee walk.

8. Let Yourself Play
Summer’s the season of childlike joy. Blow bubbles. Jump in the lake fully clothed. Build a sandcastle. Let go of “productive” and say yes to fun.

9. Protect Your Skin (and Your Energy)
Sunshine is glorious—but don’t forget your SPF, shades, and shade breaks. And hey, if you need a reset, a nap in a cool, dark room can work wonders.

10. Savor the Season
Pause long enough to feel the moment—sun on your face, kids laughing in the yard, a fresh peach so juicy it drips down your chin. These are the golden memories you’re making now. 💛

I want to hear from YOU!
It seriously means the world when you respond and share what’s going on in your life—I’m always so fascinated by how different people spend their days and seasons.

So tell me:
🌞 What are your favorite summertime activities?
🌿 Do you thrive during summer… or crash and burn a bit?
🌅 What little things light you up during these longer days?
⛱️ And where do you struggle when the season gets chaotic?

Thanks for reading along, and I hope your summer is off to an absolutely magical start!
—Kelli 💛✨

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