Slow Down This Summer: 5 Peaceful Self-Care Ideas
25th July 2025
We all look forward to the long, lazy days of summer, but let’s be honest. Between running our businesses, keeping up with celebrations, home life, and for some, juggling childcare too, it can be hard to find even five minutes to yourself.
Here are 5 ways to help you find a moment of calm and a little gift from Ellie and Liv to make one of those moments even easier.
Summer can be such a mix of magic and mayhem. I’ve found myself swinging between sketching in the sunshine and tackling school uniform lists or being a part-time taxi driver for my teens. If you’re feeling the same, I hope this post gives you a few ideas and a bit of peace.
1. An early morning cup of tea in the garden
If you can, set your alarm 30 minutes earlier and enjoy your first cup of tea or coffee outside. Just sitting quietly, feeling the air and listening to the birds can shift your whole day.
Morning light is especially beneficial. It supports your body’s natural rhythm by letting it know when to wake, when to sleep, and even when to release mood-boosting hormones. A few quiet minutes outdoors can help you feel more grounded, alert, and balanced. Try taking your shoes and socks off and placing your bare feet in the grass for an extra way to ground yourself.
2. A solo walk
Try taking a short walk without any distractions. Turn off your podcast and just listen to the sounds around you. I know firsthand how much a daily walk helps my nervous system. I often call it my sanity walk.
Don’t let a bit of rain put you off either. As the Scandinavians say, there’s no bad weather, only bad clothing.
If you want to dig into the science, A Life More Wild podcast with TJ Power is a great place to start (just maybe save it for after your walk).
3. Box breathing
Slowing down your breath can have an instant calming effect. Box breathing is a simple technique where you breathe in for four, hold for four, breathe out for four, and hold for four.
Repeat that until you feel your shoulders soften and a sense of calm wash over you. If four feels like too much, just adjust it to what’s comfortable. I don’t want to be the reason you pass out.
Breathwork is one of the simplest and most effective ways to calm the nervous system and reduce stress. A few quiet minutes here and there can truly change the shape of your day.
4. Write a list and prioritise
I know this might not seem relaxing, but trust me, it helps. At the start of the week, I write down everything I need to do, then spread it across the days. It’s also a good way to prioritise things. Ask yourself, if I don’t do this, will anything change this week? Could I do this another day when I’m less busy? Be kind to yourself, we aren’t superhuman, I’ve learnt that the hard way on several occasions.
Because I’m constantly switching between home and work, I combine my to-do lists. Monday might include a client project and a reminder to post a letter or order something for my daughters. People often say to keep home and work life separate, but as a busy mum and business owner, I find that this way I’m less likely to miss anything. Find what works best for you.
Nothing’s too small to note down, and there’s something deeply satisfying about ticking things off. It’s a simple, practical way to clear your head and avoid overwhelm, one of my favourite everyday mental health tips.
5. Get creative
Drawing or painting is one of the most calming things I do. Once I’m in the flow, the mark-making becomes almost meditative.
Even ten minutes of colouring or sketching can help ease anxiety, slow your heart rate, and quiet a busy mind. You don’t need to be good at it. Draw circles, do rubbings, grab crayons, just make marks.
Creativity, especially when inspired by nature, can help us feel more grounded and present. It’s a beautiful way to reset and care for your mental health, without needing lots of time or materials.
If you don’t feel like art is your thing or you struggle with just knowing where to start, you can still enjoy a moment of creative calm with my free summer-inspired colouring sheets. Download them, print them out, and take five quiet minutes with a pencil. And if that fails, hand them over to the kids and enjoy the peace for 5 minutes.
These printable colouring sheets are filled with citrusy joy. Lemons, oranges, leafy branches, and a hint of sunshine. They’re perfect for a mindful pause in the garden or a little creative break on a busy day. They make for the perfect creative self-care activity to soothe the senses and connect with the season.
That’s why I created these free Summer colouring sheets, to offer a tiny moment of creative calm, something I try to bring into my own design work too.
Ready to unwind?
Get your free printable colouring sheets here