Looking to improve your summer? Here are fifteen ideas that are low commitment and low cost. Consider giving one a try this summer:

1. Get up early and watch the sunrise. As a bonus, it’s often the coolest time of day during our Riverside summers!

[Image Description: A large orange sun moves slowly up and to the left across a red sky]

Pictured: Taking high quality time-lapse videos of said sunrise, optional

 

2. Drink some water. You could also try making your own iced tea; a good summer-y tea to try is a citrus-based herbal tea.

[Image Description: A grey cat stands in a metal sink licking the trickle of water coming out of the faucet]

Pictured: Don’t forget to hydrate!

 

3. Start a gratitude journal. It can be long or short! Start by writing down one thing per day you are thankful for.

[Image Description: Uzo Aduba sits in front of a bookcase, gestures with her hands and says: “I am beyond grateful.”]

Pictured: Small wins are still wins

 

4. Begin your day by setting a positive intention. There are lots of mobile apps and YouTube videos designed to help you in a guided meditation or intention setting.

[Image Description: Rose Nyland, from Golden Girls, sits in a floral chair, sipping from a mug and says: “I’m just going to keep on smiling.”]

Pictured: Remember to be proud of the person you are becoming!

 

5. Listen to a fun song and dance a little bit if feels good. I highly endorse It’s Raining Men by the Weather Girls!

[Image Description: Marge Simpson, from The Simpsons, calls into a radio show to request a song. The DJ asks, “Do you have a song request?” then Homer grabs the phone from Marge and yells “It’s Raining Men!” into the receiver.]

Pictured: I dare you to listen to this song and not smile

 

6. Try some stretching or restorative yoga. You can find lists of poses online or try following a video, like this one from Yoga with Adriene 

[Image Description: A gopher lays on the ground, then slowly stretches its’ arm and tail upward]

Pictured: Even if sun salutations aren’t your speed, restorative yoga – where poses are held for many minutes at a time – might be just right for you.

 

7. Take a few deep breaths to reset throughout the day. A good place to start is counting down from ten, taking a big deep breath after each number.

[Image Description: A close-up of a gray cat’s face as it appears to breathe deeply. White text at the bottom reads: “(heavy breathing)”]

Pictured: Remember to breath in through your nose and out of your mouth, despite what this cat is doing!

 

8. Head outside for a walk. You could just circle your block or set out to explore a new part of your neighborhood.

[Image Description: A brown and white English bulldog appears happy while walking on a sidewalk.]

Pictured: If you have a furry friend, bring them with you

 

9. Try your hand at a new low-cost hobby. Some to consider are drawing or sketching, crossword puzzles, dancing, singing, or hiking.

[Image Description: Titus Andromedon, from Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, closes his eyes and places a finger on his ear, as he belts out a song on the street, using the end of a baseball bat as a make-shift microphone]

Pictured: If you do try singing – maybe keep it inside and during daylight hours

 

10. Declutter your digital life. Many people set about decluttering their homes during the pandemic, but what about organizing your computer, tablet, or phone? I know I have an overflowing Downloads folder!

[Image Description: David Rose, from Schitt’s Creek, carefully arranges an already organized row of products at Rose’s Apothecary]

Pictured: If you’ve organized everything else… maybe even more than once

 

11. Take a nice photo of yourself and your favorite things around your home and neighborhood. It can feel awkward to take a picture of yourself, but it will be something you can look back at later when thinking about your time in graduate school

[Image Description: Abbi, from Broad City, takes a cell phone photo of Ilana making a silly face]

Pictured: Photos of your BFF (if safe) are also a good memento

 

12. Call or text a friend or loved one. Even if it’s just to say hi!

[Image Description: A white and light brown dog, seen behind an unmade bed, turns to look at the camera. Text appears below the dog, which reads “Oh, hello”]

Pictured: Too bad our pets can’t talk back

 

13. Pick a fun summer read. Maybe it’s a thriller, romance, or YA, any book you find fun counts! Consider checking out a library book, or visiting a used bookstore, or your local independent bookstore (we at GradSuccess love Cellar Door Books)

 

[Image Description: An animated penguin sits reading an orange book, from off camera a colorful beach ball gently hits the penguin on the head, causing it to look up]

Pictured: You can still call it a beach read even if you’re not at the beach

 

14. Try a social media fast for a weekend. Uninstall your Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter, and TikTok and enjoy the time unplugged.

[Image Description: On a sandy beach, Susie, from Curb Your Enthusiasm, snatches Larry’s cellphone from him and throws it into the surf.]

Pictured: Remember it’s only for the weekend don’t do anything too drastic!

 

15. Wash all the linens on your bed. Include the stuff you might not wash often, like pillow protectors, bed skirts, duvet covers. It feels so good to go to sleep in fresh bedding!

[Image Description: A man dances as he transfers clothes from the washing machine to the dryer.]

Pictured: Hey, doing laundry can be fun!

Take care J