Summer Ready? That’s So Last Year…
Summer is around the corner so it’ll soon be time for the obligatory ‘are you summer ready?’ conversations across the media. Anxious, frazzled and fearful we will be flocking to the stores in search of a seasonal wardrobe that promises to fulfill the tall order of making us look drop dead gorgeous whilst covering up a multitude of body parts that we have no intention of putting on show.
Discovering that we are fighting a losing battle, we will then be at our wits end realizing dismally that with only 1 month to go before we have to get our beach bodies out in the public domain, we are very definitely not summer ready and probably never will be this side of Christmas!
But the pressure of the much anticipated holiday looms, adding new angst to how on earth we are going to look effortlessly cool sipping a cheeky cosmopolitan whilst acquiring the perfect tan.
In reality, many of us never quite master the sassiness of the beach club elite, scrambling around trying to find swimwear that promises to mould, sculpt, suck in and expose all the right flesh in all the right places that is deemed appropriate for our age and silhouette.
We will berate ourselves for not following the ‘if I could just lose a few pounds to get into my bikini’ diets sooner and turn ourselves upside down trying to squeeze in last minute beauty appointments that will promise to primp, prime, polish and tone our body to within an inch of its life. All while attempting to maintain the perfect coiffe and a to die for set of nails for that all important summer reveal.
The question is why do we do this to ourselves year upon year? Summer readiness is an aesthetic pressured culture around the competitive looking good for the beach narrative that often includes illusive unrealistic goals that set us up for failure and make us feel disappointed with ourselves. The problem is wellness is not seasonal, so expecting to achieve a result, that would normally take at least a year, in only 2 weeks is a ridiculous proposition. And that’s why we often fall short.
The answer isn’t starting earlier. Health and wellness was never supposed to peak in July. Paying more attention to our long term health and wellbeing and prioritizing self-care is much more in line with supporting our mental and physical wellness through ALL the seasons, not just summer. We shouldn’t be preparing our bodies to be summer ready but nurturing our minds, hormones, immune system and nervous system to be summer ready, winter ready and in fact the whole year round ready. We need to be equipping ourselves to take on any season not partaking of a quick fix to satisfy the holiday season expectations.
Eating the right kinds of foods that feed our gut health and fulfill the needs of our bodies will achieve a longer lasting approach to both looking good and feeling good. It may sound boring and it may be hard work, but the fact of the matter is that in order to attain whatever image goals you’ve set your heart on, the key is to eat healthily, eat well and eat to sustain. Apart from the fact that diets don’t work, restrictive eating will never have longevity and the short term result will be unpicked once normal service is resumed.
Eating smarter not eating less is the answer. Including protein, fibre and healthy fats in each of your meals will help support your metabolism, manage your weight and control your appetite through stabilizing blood sugar and reducing inflammation. It’s about balance NOT perfection.
Equally sleep is the essential foundation that keeps everything ticking along. Trying to function on lack of sleep is like expecting your phone to last on 10% battery. Unrealistic at best. Practicing good sleep hygiene will contribute to the desired effect on your body and mind that you are desperately trying so hard to achieve.
Strength training will be considerably more effective than running yourself ragged on some hairbrained exercise schedule that promises to deliver the perfect beach body. Doing resistance exercise but doing it consistently will raise your energy game and help you fulfill your health goals.
Mindfulness is another foundation that will have a knock on effect on all your body goals. Breathwork, meditation, social interaction, boundaries and regular time out for yourself will have a much bigger impact and will help to manage stress levels across your life. Creating space for you helps you function at your best.
In essence, you don’t need to jump through hoops to try and schedule a complete overhaul to be summer ready. Adopting small doable changes across your mental and physical wellness throughout the year will bring you more noticeable long-lasting progress. Consistency is the number 1 rule, developing the habits so they become second nature and the new normal will prepare your mind and your body for any season that comes along. Looking and feeling good is a 4 season goal and will make you feel like the best version of yourself that you can be. And that is worth a lifetime of summer ready.
Final thoughts
Don’t wait for summer, practice self-care now. Mental and physical wellbeing isn’t a short term goal it’s a long-term lifestyle. Your body and mind don’t need a seasonal transformation they need season to season support. Wellness is about sustaining your nervous system and beyond, protecting your peace and releasing the pressure to be body perfect. Feel good on the inside and the glow up will naturally follow. Take time to nourish your wellbeing and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the results. So next time someone asks ‘are you summer ready?’ You can confidently reply ‘surely the question is, is summer ready for me?’
PS “Wellness is for life, not just for summer” anonymous to delve deeper into sustaining all year round wellness Contact Positive-Soul today