Summertime is happy, hot, and sweaty, and for most, this means either chilling on the couch binging 90’s rom-coms or eating street tacos with friends at midnight. Either way, it’s undoubtedly a little difficult for most to get in their 10,000 steps during this glorious, relaxing break period. But before you give in to the couch potato lifestyle, here are eight non-stressful (and actually enjoyable) ways to stay active this summer.
- Go on a family bike ride around your neighborhood! An evening ride with your parents and siblings is a wholesome way to catch up on family gossip while sneaking in some healthy cardio. Bonus points if you bike all the way to your favorite ice cream parlor!
- Not a big fan of sweaty, intense hikes? Then a calm, picturesque stroll by the ocean is perfect. Come right before dusk to watch the sunrise if you’re an early bird, or opt for the golden hour glow during sunset. Either way, the ocean view accompanied by your favorite playlist will provide all the vibes for de-stressing.
- What better time than during the summer to learn a new skill? Jump roping isn’t just an elementary activity — it’s cheap, accessible, and incredibly fun to practice in your backyard! Start with basic hops for ten minutes, and work your way up to the more advanced skills, like the criss-cross and double-under. You will be obsessed in no time!
- Start gardening at home to kill two birds with one stone — a light, but effective cardio routine, plus a great way to grow your own produce. Digging, planting, and scurrying around your yard might make you sweaty under the hot sun, but the fruit (or vegetable) salad that comes out of it will be all worth it.
- Summer is obviously for swimming, so host a pool day with your friends! Invite them over to hang out at the nearest body of water, whether that be the ocean or the local community swimming pool. You’ll be doing one of the best full-body workouts to exist — all while playing Marco Polo for hours.
- When you do good, you feel good. Start volunteering at a community garden, farm, or food bank in your area for the summer. Lifting boxes, pulling weeds, conversing with residents — these low-pressure tasks will get your body moving while also helping you engage with the community!
- Summer is the prime time for cleaning — and it can be fun! Set aside an hour each week to clean one area in your house, and crank up a dance party playlist to accompany your non-stop moving. By the time August arrives, you’ll thank yourself for being efficiently active!
- Try out some morning yoga! Start your day with slow, intentional movement to stretch out your springtime stress and stiffness. A quick, 10-20 minute guided yoga session (found on YouTube) is all you need to ground your soul, clear your mind, and prepare your body for whatever’s coming next.
So yes — sleep in, binge your favorite shows, and enjoy the laziness of summer. But when you’re itching for some healthy movement and exercise (without the gym membership fee), these low-stress activities are here to help you out.
