8 Summer Activities to Boost Your Mental Health and Lift Your Spirits

Warm weather and sunshine create the perfect opportunity to try something new. Reshape your weekly routine over the next few weeks to take advantage of the season while improving your mental well-being. These summer activities to boost your mental health could revolutionize how you spend your summer by making life more enjoyable.

1. Start Morning Nature Walks

No one wants to take a long walk on a scorching day, so morning walks are better in the summer. You’ll get to explore the world while the weather is still at a pleasant temperature. Surrounding yourself with nature while on a walk decreases stress levels, improving your mental health within a few minutes. Research local trails near your home or stroll around your neighborhood to start this new habit.

2. Attend a Summer Festival

People love hosting events during the summer. Check your city’s events calendar to see which festivals are happening in your area. Outdoor activity participation improved the mental well-being of participants in a recent study. You might experience the same results by exploring a strawberry festival, barbecue celebration or fireworks show. Bring a friend or two with you to make it even more fun.

3. Try a Walking Food Tour

If you don’t like nature walks because they leave you feeling bored, participate in walking food tours. Restaurants and tour companies host these events for tourists, but locals can always join in. You’ll stroll through your downtown city streets and sample foods from participating restaurants.

Choose a tour that samples your favorite foods, like a pizza tour. Given how there are over 70,000 pizzerias in the U.S. and even more restaurants serving it, you’ll have more than a few taste-testing options during your excursion. You’ll return home after benefiting your mental health with the light cardio and finding a few new favorite restaurants.

4. Take a Staycation

Vacations almost always help your mental health because you get to put life on pause. If you can’t afford to get away right now, take a staycation at home. Save a weekend to do things you’d only do on vacations, like sleeping late or going without plans.

Reclaiming your time with vacation-centric activities that bring you joy is an excellent way to boost your self-confidence and strengthen your mental health. Consider what someone would do if they vacationed where you live to plan a staycation that feels like a getaway.

5. Listen to the Latest Summer Hits

Music therapy is an effective treatment for anxiety if you listen to it regularly. This summer, find new music that makes you happy. Artists often debut new songs because people love a fresh summer hit. Sample new genres and playlists to curate a music therapy list that makes you happy. At the very least, you can reduce your anxiety with your playlist during your weekly summer routine.

6. Go for a Swim

Jumping in a pool or a lake is one of the best summer activities to boost your mental health. You’ll start feeling happier within minutes once you’re in the water. Swimming — like lap swimming or light aquatic recreation — creates positive mental health effects for people who do it regularly. Invite loved ones to join you at the pool or start swimming laps at a local gym to enjoy this summer activity until fall arrives.

7. Enjoy a Seasonal Treat

People often think autumn is the best time to harvest fresh foods, but summer has its own seasonal groceries. See which warm-weather foods you like the most and consider picking them at a local farm over the next few weeks.

A summer treat like fresh blueberries would improve your brain’s neurotransmitters with antioxidants. Your mind could function better if your neurotransmitters are operating at peak efficiency. It’s just one of the summer fruits and veggies that could boost your mental health if you strive to enjoy more of them over the coming weeks.

8. Plan a Picnic

Delicious food is the only thing that makes summer sunshine even more enjoyable. Plan a picnic with loved ones to have more fun this summer while lifting your spirits. Lounging in the sun could decrease your depression symptoms with its warmth and light. The peaceful atmosphere created by a sunny day is a great way to improve your mental well-being throughout the summer.

Don’t forget to bring some bug spray or bug-repellant tools. As much as you might relax on a picnic blanket, mosquitoes will ruin your mood. They’ll want to try whatever tasty treats you bring on your excursion, so plan for pests to prevent them from ruining your day.

Try Summer Activities to Boost Your Mental Health

Once you plan a few of these summer activities to boost your mental health, you’ll enjoy this season more than ever before. They’ll lift your spirits, decrease your negative moods and introduce you to new activities you might want to experience every summer.