15 Relaxation Ideas for Summer Break

Sometimes, it can be hard to convince ourselves that we deserve time off. In our culture of productivity, taking a break can feel like you’re not doing enough and missing out. However, this is far from the truth. Time off is a time to re-energize and gain momentum for what’s ahead. Breaks are necessary, so why not make the most out of yours? Here are a few fun summer activities to make you kick back, relax, and enjoy your summer the way you’re supposed to. 

Take a Solo Trip

Often, we think that traveling has to be done with a buddy. While it can be a great time traveling with another person, it’s not necessary to have a good time. This summer, take a solo trip. 

The beauty of solo trips is that time moves at your pace. When traveling with others, you have to keep on their schedule, make time for activities they want to do, and share in the overall planning process. This can create a ton of stress!

By traveling alone, you control the narrative. This can be freeing. Also, you’ll see a different side of the city that you’re visiting. Rather than constantly talking and turning your face towards another person, you can take in every detail around you without the feeling that you’re ignoring your friend. 

Also, if you’re a parent, solo trips can feel like a life saver. A short summer trip might be the answer you need to relax you from the stressful day-to-day routine. Book an Airbnb or hotel in a nearby town, find a babysitter, and take a few days to spend time with yourself.

If you’re married with kids, you can also bring your partner along with you. Quality one-on-one time is a great way to relax and reconnect with each other. Forget about being parents for a day or two and focus on yourselves. You’ll feel rejuvenated after the trip and more ready than ever to take on your daily responsibilities. 

Spend a Day Doing Nothing

Spend a day doing nothing…Yes, you read that right! Clear your family’s schedule for an entire day. Sit around, watch movies, play board games, just do nothing. No plans. No obligations. No time constraints.

This will give you time to really reconnect back with your family. So often our schedules are mismatched and time together feels fleeting. However, when you block off time to do nothing, your schedules immediately align. Don’t have any expectations or plans for this day other than being together. This also works if you’re single. To up the challenge, go without a phone!

Digital Detox

Constantly looking at social media can get overwhelming. Take some time to reconnect with yourself by turning off your phone for a day. You’ll find that you have more creativity by the end of it and your fingers will be a whole lot less tired from not scrolling constantly. 

Get Outside

Summer is the perfect time for outdoor adventures! Ditch the indoors and go on a trip outside. This can be as simple as finding a new walking trail near your house. Try hiking or a new outdoor activity you’ve been meaning to do. Also, you can work on a sport you used to love or learn a few moves from a sport you’ve never tried. The goal is to get outside, soak up some vitamin D, and relax into the warmth of summer.

Read that Book!

During the school year, life is frantic. If you’re a student you probably have a million and one things you have to read for class. It’s easy to have no time to read books you’re actually interested in. Summertime is the perfect opportunity to grab that book you’ve been meaning to read and relax into it. 

Reading can bring a new type of attention to your day. With reading, you have to be focused on it and it alone. Your attention span will greatly improve through this act. Also, reading can be your own little form of meditation. Immerse yourself in a good book and block out the world around you for just a bit. 

Learn Something New

I know what you’re thinking: “I just got out of school! Why would I continue to learn?” This tip is similar to the last. During school, you can only focus on topics you have to learn. Spend the summer learning about a new topic that interests you. Learning persists long after school, so it’s great to find an interest and explore it in your free time. 

Also, this doesn’t have to be something academic—you could learn a new skill or hobby! This can increase your confidence and make you feel a bit more ready to conquer the summer.

Get Back into Your Hobbies

If you lost interest in your hobbies due to lack of time during the school year, now is the time to dive back in. Hobbies should make you feel happy and satisfied. In turn, by spending time with these hobbies, you’ll find you overall feel more relaxed and calmer in your daily life. 

Clean the Entire House

In the moment, this won’t feel like the most relaxing thing to do. However, once you’re done and have a shining clean house, you’ll feel better than ever. It’s great to sweep away the literal and metaphorical dust of the past year and start the summer fresh.

Also, consider decluttering your space. Donate those used clothes, toys, and other things you don’t find yourself using anymore. Start the summer with a clean slate, a clean house, and a clear state of mind.

Binge a TV Show

Sometimes you just have to sit down in front of the TV and watch a show for hours on end. While it may not be the best activity for our brain, it sure does feel good every now and then. Whatever show you’ve been meaning to watch, take this summer as an opportunity to catch up on it. 

Make Art

Arts and crafts can be a relaxing way to destress during the summer. The beauty of arts and crafts is that you don’t have to make it good. Mess up, get creative, and have fun. Try painting, embroidery, or any other art project that sounds exciting to you. This is also a great summer activity to do with friends or get family to join in. This makes a great activity for all ages to enjoy. 

Lay on a Hammock

Buy one of those hammocks you can hang between two trees and get to relaxing! Nothing is better than laying in the sun and swinging on a hammock. Make sure to bring that book you want to read outside with you.  

Build a Fire

Summer nights get chilly. This is why building a bonfire can be the perfect activity for you to enjoy with friends and family. Build a bonfire, make s’mores, and have a nice relaxing evening. This is a time to take the load off and cozy up around the fire. No expectations, just relaxation. 

Have a Picnic

Summer and picnics are basically synonymous. Pack up a meal, lay out a blanket, and enjoy this time you have off. You can do this with friends, family, or even by yourself. It can be super relaxing to take yourself on this picnic date away from the troubles of the world. Plus, you’ll soak up some vitamin D for an instant mood booster. 

Bring in New Decor 

Bringing in fresh flowers or a new accent pillow can help you get your home ready for summer. This addition of something new will give your home a transformed feeling of refreshing newness.

Perfect Your Skincare

During the busy every day we sometimes miss a day or two of proper skincare. Take this summer as a time to get back into your skincare and overall self-care routines. You’ll feel a boost of confidence by doing this, your summer skin will glow, and the act will almost be a meditative relaxation practice if you really dive into it.

Enjoy Your Summer

Use these tips and think of your own relaxation tips to get you in the summer mood. Summer fun flies by, so make sure to savor it while you can.