5 Steps to Soak Up Summer

Summer's fleeting. Here are 5 tips to help you savour every moment.

Summer is here at last — best get to enjoying it. But how does a self-respecting student, enjoying a rare respite from homework, get the most out of the sunny weather? We've got five simple steps to own your summer.

1. Get Some Sleep Already

Somehow both the easiest and hardest thing to do. A solid third of American adults don't get enough sleep, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States. With so many exciting things to see and do, it seems unfair to cede a slice of our lives to dreamland. But the science is in — healthy sleep habits make healthy people. When the golden sun starts setting, think about turning off your screens and watching the back of your eyelids for a while. You'll be glad you did.

2. Get Sweaty

This one ought to be a breeze. Summer's a brilliant time to get your heart rate up and those beads of sweat flowing. You've heard it before, and you know it's true — getting regular exercise is one of the keys to good health. Embrace a little exertion, but don't go overboard. There's nothing fun about sunstroke.

3. Visit Friends Face-to-Face

Reading this, you recoil, instinctively reaching for your smartphone. No problem! Put it to use to get in touch with friends, then meet up with them IRL, here and now. A transgressive act these days, perhaps, but one that'll pay off. Social media's great, but if you find a bit of time to get close to other humans, you'll feel happier and healthier.

4. Eat Right

Yes, yes, another classic tidbit, but one all too readily ignored. Isn't summer about hot dogs and cotton candy on the beach? Sure, but that's not all. Bring along an apple as a snack, and a salad on the side. What goes in must come out! Getting the vitamins, minerals, and nutrition you need is essential — especially when firing up the barbecue.

5. Meditate

Don't knock it 'til you've tried it. Meditation isn't easy on the best days, but letting small instances of mindfulness into your life will help you gain perspective on yourself and your world, while defending against the myriad anxieties and uncertainties that surround us all. There's lots of ways to do it, and it's worked well enough for 5,000 years, so why not give it a shot?

For most of us, summer vacation is already chock-full, with responsibilities at work, lounging around the pool, and getting ready for the school year. But make some time for these five steps, and you may just have your best summer yet.

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