Five Ways To Switch Up Your Wellbeing Routine This Summer

Embrace the energy of lighter mornings and longer days with these trending practices that could help you feel refreshed and revitalised all summer long…

Chloe Burcham

Jun 25 2024

3 minute read

Five Ways To Switch Up Your Wellbeing Routine This Summer

The weather might be a bit unpredictable, but summer is definitely here, bringing brighter mornings and longer days. Which means it's the perfect time to shake up your daily rituals and revamp your wellbeing routine to make the most of those extra daylight hours. But don’t worry, you don’t need a complete overhaul to feel the benefits. Just a few simple tweaks to your daily habits can make a big difference. Here, we run through five trending wellbeing practices that are not only huge on TikTok but have actually stood the test of time for their amazing benefits…

1. Embrace The Morning Sunlight With A Walk First

We don’t know about you, but we're big on making the most of these lighter mornings. Starting your day with a walk in the sunlight can do wonders for your mood and energy levels. Plus, the exposure to natural light early in the day can help regulate your circadian rhythm, improving sleep quality and overall wellbeing. There’s science to back it up too. Studies have shown that morning sunlight can boost serotonin levels, which can help improve mood and reduce feelings of stress. So, lace up your trainers and head out for a brisk walk to soak up that morning sunshine. Want to go a step further? Pair this practice with our Big Day Energy Face Mist for an invigorating morning spritz that can help kickstart your day the NEOM way.

2. Give Tongue Scraping A Go

Bear with us on this one but bolster your oral hygiene routine this summer by incorporating TikTok’s latest craze into your morning routine. While tongue scraping is currently everywhere on TikTok, it’s actually an ancient Ayurvedic practice that’s been around for centuries. “Tongue scraping, or jihwa prakshalana, is a traditional part of Ayurvedic self-care and also a great way to check in with your body each morning,” explains Eastern Medicine Practitioner and Co-founder of Escapada Health, Maeve O'Sullivan. “Overnight, as the body processes everything that was ingested that day, toxins (called ama in Ayurveda) begin to form and are visible as a coating on the tongue.” The technique – which involves using a metal scraper to remove bacteria and toxins from the surface of your tongue – can help improve oral hygiene, reduce bad breath, and even enhance your sense of taste. And it’s not all hype either, research has shown that tongue scraping can significantly reduce the bacteria that cause bad breath. “Scraping your tongue can be more effective at reducing bad breath than brushing alone,” says Dentist Dr Sam Jethwa. Incorporating this quick and easy practice into your morning routine can leave you feeling fresher and more invigorated for the day to come.

3. Try Dry Body Brushing

Nothing new but one we're giving another shot this summer... Dry body brushing is a simple yet invigorating practice that involves brushing your skin with a natural bristle brush. This technique can help exfoliate dead skin cells, stimulate lymphatic drainage, and improve circulation. Not only that, but regular dry body brushing can also help you to feel more energised and awake – making it a perfect addition to your morning routine. Before your shower, gently brush your skin in upward strokes towards your heart. Ramp up the exfoliation benefits by using our Great Day Body Scrub once you’re in the shower for an extra touch of softening hydration and follow with our NEW Real Luxury Cocooning Shower Cream for a calming moment of morning bliss. Your skin will be left buzzing, hydrated and raring to go!

4. Ramp Up Your Summer Skincare Routine With Gua Sha

Another huge skincare trend that’s all over social media is Gua Sha – a traditional Chinese practice which involves using a smooth-edged tool to massage the face. This technique can help promote lymphatic drainage, reduce puffiness, and help your skin feel firmer and more resilient. Take a few extra minutes to really work in your Great Day Glow Face Wash by gently gliding a Gua Sha tool over your skin in upward and outward strokes. Not only can this ritual leave your skin glowing, but it also provides a calming start to your day.

5. Try Cycle Synching Your Warm Weather Workouts

If you’re someone who finds it difficult to keep to a consistent workout schedule, cycle syncing might be perfect for you. It involves tailoring your exercise routine to the different phases of your menstrual cycle – which is believed to help optimise energy levels and support hormonal balance. So how do you do it? “Save your high intensity workouts – like HIIT, running, heavy lifting or spin classes for weeks 2 and 3 of your cycle – when your oestrogen and testosterone levels are at their peak,” recommends D r Sohere Roked, a registered GP who specialises in Functional Medicine and Hormone Health . “Then, for the week before and during your period, switch to gentle, more restorative workouts like pilates, yoga or hiking.” Listen to your body and adapt your routine to align with your natural rhythms – you might find that it’s much easier to stick to a consistent workout schedule this way.