Girls’ Life – July 2019

62 GL AUGUST | SEPTEMBER 2019

hink back to your dreamiest
summer memory: a lazy day
at the beach, followed by
dozing in the hammock with
a new read, then dinner
alfresco and a sunset stroll.
What if you could capture
that blissed-out feeling—
even well into fall? Let us explain.

Lock In Easy Livin’
Why are we so darn happy during the
summer? One word: freedom. “When
you’re not tied to a school schedule, time
is your own,” shares Anea Bogue, a teen
life coach.
Continue that independent streak
during the school year by scheduling
some “you” time every day, suggests
Bogue. All you need is 30 minutes: Get
absorbed in a new book (spy our picks
on page 12), give yourself a mani/pedi or
take your dog out for a walk in a pretty
part of your ’hood. Whatever you do,
it’ll be a welcome break from your daily
grind—and will transport you back to
those carefree days of summer.

Chase the Play
Over the summer, you probably filled your
days by biking a zillion miles, swimming
laps galore and tossing Frisbees with
the best of ’em. But don’t let the chillier
temps (and long school days) squash your
sunny, sporty spirit.

Keep up the playful sweat sessions by

gathering your buds for group games and

fun activities like kickball, trail running or

rock climbing. Finding new ways to stay

active will not only keep you fit all year,

it’ll also prevent boredom and present a

new challenge to conquer (the secret to

fitness success, according to trainers).

Stay Super Social

You’re naturally more social in the

summer—and you have a bursting-at-the-

seams feed to prove it. (Beach with your

bestie? Theme park with your buds? Too

many sleepovers to count? Check, check

and check.) But once you’re posted up in

school and faced with piles of homework,

it’s easy to slip back into the lazy way to

connect with your crew.

We love a group text, but it’s no sub-

stitute for IRL face time (and no, we don’t

mean FaceTime). Institute sacred hang

sessions, whether it’s having the girls over

for pizza on Friday nights or meeting up

for bubble tea on Saturday mornings. By

spending actual time together—no matter

how busy you may be—you can continue

to create the same sort of amazing mem-

ories you made all summer long.

Keep It Fresh

Summer meals are usually chock-full of

in-season fruits and veggies, which means

lots of color and tons of nutrients are

piled on your plate. Keep that healthy

vibe going strong well past the first frost

by packing your lunchbox with fresh,

wholesome foods.

Not sure what’s in season? Check out

a farmers market to see which crops are

tops, then plan out a yummy salad, side

dish or soup (go to girlslife.com for great

fall veggie recipes). Not only will you feel

good, you’ll have way more energy to

keep you fueled on even the busiest days.

Rest Up Right

Let’s face it: Heading back to school can

be a rude awakening. (Especially because

you’ve got to say goodbye to those

glorious days of sleeping in ’til half past

whenever.) And while you may not be able

to fit in a nap on the daily, you can try

to get more quality sleep from here on

out. How? Start by powering down your

gadgets before bed, which can help you

snag a more restful snooze.

“Unplug for at least 30 minutes before

bed each evening, which means no

computer, phone or TV,” says life coach

Jess Hopkins. Quiet downtime such as

reading, meditating or writing in a journal

are all great ways to decompress and

get ready for sleep without too much

distraction. Before you know it, you’ll feel

as refreshed as you did in July.

Sunny Side Up

Always stashing away your warm-weather

faves at the first sign of a cold snap?

CAROL YEPES/GETTY IMAGES

IT’S ALWAYS

BY JESSICA D’ARGENIO WALLER