Self-Care Summer: 7 Practices To Try

woman in a blue swimsuit sitting on a pink flamingo inflatable in a pool and laughing out loud

Summer is a season of change, of renewal, of optimism. The days grow longer, the sun shines brighter, and the world bursts into life with a riot of color. As nature transitions, so can we. This is a perfect opportunity for new beginnings, a time to embrace self-care, and to use the natural vitality of the season to rejuvenate our own well-being.


Self-care is the practice of taking active steps to preserve or improve your own health, well-being, and happiness. It involves understanding your needs and taking the time to meet them, which is an act of self-love and self-respect. Ignoring self-care can lead to burnout, stress, and a variety of physical and mental health issues.

So, why is summer an excellent time for self-care? Simply put, the warm weather, increased daylight, and the availability of a variety of outdoor activities naturally lend themselves to an energy boost, which can motivate us to try new things and better care for ourselves. Each change of season brings new opportunities for growth and exploration, and summer is no exception.

So, without further ado, here are seven self-care practices to try this summer:

Find fun ways to enjoy the outdoors

man and woman sitting on white bed reading bookPhoto by Anastasiia Rozumna on Unsplash

Summer is the perfect time to connect with nature, soak up some sunshine (don't forget your sunscreen), and enjoy the great outdoors. Plan a picnic with your favorite foods, go for a relaxing walk in the park, or, if you're a fan of the night sky, spend an evening stargazing. You could also join a hiking club or try outdoor yoga. These activities not only provide a healthy dose of Vitamin D but also help reduce stress and increase happiness.

Establish a healthy sleep routine

woman covered in white blanket sleeping on white bed comforterPhoto by Kinga Howard on Unsplash

In the summer, with extended daylight hours, it's easy to let our sleep patterns become erratic. Yet, quality sleep is essential for our physical health and mental well-being. Try to establish a consistent sleep schedule by setting a regular bedtime and wake-up time. Make your bedroom a sleep-friendly environment: cool, quiet, and dark. You could use blackout curtains or an eye mask to block out the summer light. Limit screen time before bed, as the blue light emitted can interfere with your sleep cycle. Remember, a good night's sleep is crucial for restoring energy and rejuvenating your mind and body.

Stay hydrated with delicious drinks

two women drinking a jarritos soda and laughingPhoto by Jarritos Mexican Soda on Unsplash

As the temperature rises, so does our need for hydration. Drinking water is essential, but why not mix it up a bit? Try creating delicious homemade limonadas, infused waters, or refreshing summer mocktails. You can use fresh summer fruits like watermelon, strawberries, and of course, lemons. Hydration is vital for overall health, including skin health, so drink up!

Fuel your creativity by trying something new

woman in white long sleeve shirt sitting on chair and paintingPhoto by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash

Summer’s longer days provide extra hours for you to explore new interests. Join a book club to stimulate your mind, participate in a hiking club to feed your adventurous side, enroll in swimming lessons to cool off, or sign up for an online course to learn a new skill. Daring to step outside of your comfort zone is a form of self-care that promotes growth and self-confidence.

Incorporate in-season foods into your diet

group of people eating on backyardPhoto by Lee Myungseong on Unsplash

Summer brings a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Incorporating these into your diet not only benefits your health but also supports local farmers. Visit your local farmer's market, explore the vibrant colors and smells, and try to add a new fruit or vegetable to your meals each week. Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can boost your immune system, improve digestion, and provide essential vitamins and nutrients. You can also check out some Luz-approved “biohacks” that can improve your health.

Add a touch of green to your life

woman holding water sprayerPhoto by Trung Thanh on Unsplash

Bring the outside in by adding some houseplants to your living space. Studies have shown that being around plants can improve concentration, reduce stress levels, and boost your mood. Furthermore, plants can improve indoor air quality by releasing oxygen and absorbing toxins. If you're new to plant care, you might want to check out our top houseplant picks for beginners.

In any case, tending to plants can be a rewarding practice that encourages mindfulness and connection to the natural world. And there's something special about the sense of accomplishment that comes from seeing your green friends grow and thrive.

Make room for all the good stuff coming your way

assorted color apparelsPhoto by Sarah Brown on Unsplash

Lastly, use the energy of the season to declutter your space. Start with your closet. As you sift through your belongings, consider donating items you no longer need to a local shelter. Clearing out physical clutter can lead to a decluttered mind, resulting in less stress and more tranquility. Creating a clean, calm environment can significantly impact your mood and mental health.

Remember, self-care is not one-size-fits-all, so feel free to adapt these practices to fit your lifestyle and needs. Embrace the season of change and growth, and most importantly, take care of you!

This Viral Video Game Is Changing the Face of Voter Outreach

In 2024, voting campaigns have evolved greatly, to say the least. Creativity is now the name of the game and tongue-in-cheek humor is expertly leveraged to drive action. One example of that is Bop the Bigot, a revival of a viral game created in 2016 by Bazta Arpaio, an Arizona activist group, as part of a campaign to unseat Maricopa County’s Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Arpaio lost his re-election to Paul Penzone that year.

The game has now been updated for the current election cycle and relaunched by On Point Studios, with new features added to enable players to find out what’s on their ballot, confirm voter status, and register to vote.

Much like its former 2016 version, the game allows users to take out their political frustrations by virtually “bopping” GOP candidates in the head. It’s very similar to whack-a-mole, except the mole is replaced by former President Donald Trump, Ohio’s Senator J. D. Vance, and Kevin Roberts, President of the Heritage Foundation, which is spearheading Project 2025.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

B. Loewe, Director of On Point Studios, came up with the concept for this game when working as the Communications Director at Bazta Arpaio in 2016, and is the executive producer of this revamped version. In the first version of the game, Bop the Bigot players used a chancla (flip flop) to “bop” the characters, tapping into Latino culture by leaning on the childhood experience of being set right by a flying chancla from a fed-up mother or grandmother.

This year, the chancla is replaced by a more current element, a green coconut, referencing Kamala Harris’ coconut tree meme. There are also side characters like “the couch,” cat ladies, and more coconuts. All references to jokes about Vice-Presidential candidate Vance, or insults Vance has made about women on the campaign trail.

Another new addition is that Harris’ laugh is immortalized as the game-over sound effect, an unexpected detail that adds even more humor and levity to the game.

cartoon renditions of Donald Trump, Kevin Roberts, and J.D. Vance around a Bop the Bigot logoPromotional image provided by On Point Studios.

Bop the Bigot, which is playable on desktop and mobile, is intended not just as a way to vent political frustrations, but also as a tool for activism and securing voter engagement.

For example, the game supports the work of Mexican Neidi Dominguez Zamorano, Founding Executive Director of the non-profit organization Organized Power in Numbers by using the “game over” screen to prompt players to donate to it and support their efforts.

Organized Power in Numbers is focused on empowering workers in the South and Southwest of the U.S. through collective action and comprehensive campaigns. Their mission is to create a large-scale movement that challenges the status quo and advocates for workers' rights, and racial and economic justice.

Currently, Dominguez Zamorano is leading worker outreach to 2 million working-class voters in the South and Southwest through doorknocking, texting, and calls with the help of local groups in North Carolina, Arizona, New Mexico, and more.

“We have been blown away by the enthusiastic reception for the video game. We knew we wanted to be part of its creative approach because our movement needs more fun and laughter. We need more ways to connect with nuestra gente so we can feel joy among all the absurdity we witness every day,” Dominguez Zamorano shared with Luz Media via email.

“Our people are gente trabajadora and we deserve to feel uplifted even in our toughest moments. We are deeply involved in the South and Southwest so we know what’s at stake in this election and we’re happy this can be a resource to mobilize, raise spirits, and get out the vote," she concluded.

Dominguez Zamorano is a committed activist for immigrants and workers' rights, known for her strategist skills and expertise. She played a key role in the campaign to win DACA and has also held roles in major campaigns, including as Deputy National States Director for Bernie Sanders' 2020 presidential campaign. In addition to her work with Organized Power in Numbers, Dominguez Zamorano is serving as a Senior Advisor to Mijente’s Fuera Trump Initiative.

Grassroots efforts like these have taken on new life in 2024, with Bop the Bigot adding to the larger, ongoing fight against political apathy and disinformation. Just as it did during the 2016 race, the video game uses humor to soften the serious task at hand—getting people to the polls.

"We want the game to be a fun and comical outlet for anyone who’s been insulted, frustrated, or harmed by Trump in the past and everyone who is ready to move forward as a country after election day," explained Loewe in a press release. "The proposals in Project 2025 and the beliefs of Trump and Vance aren’t just weird, they’re truly harmful. We wanted to give people a humorous and peaceful way to smack down their racism and sexism. We hope it makes people laugh and also feel empowered and motivated to get to the polls on or before election day."

With a mix of satire, sharp political critique, and nostalgia, the game is a call to action. The upcoming election, which is getting closer by the minute, has sparked fierce activism and creative yet grounded initiatives like these aim to ensure voters are engaged, especially young Latinos and disenfranchised groups.

hands holding up yellow protest signs that say Hands Off Our Bodies
Photo Credit: Gayatri Malhotra via Unsplash

Originally published in Common Dreams. Reprinted with permission.

The Latino electorate will prove decisive in securing reproductive freedom and abortion access through ballot measures around the country, particularly in states where Latinos are a significant portion of the electorate.

In November, abortion rights measures will appear on ballots across ten states, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, and New York, where Latinos make up a significant portion of the electorate. For decades, pundits and politicians have recycled long-held misconceptions about Latino voters and abortion access, citing our conservative and religious beliefs.

Anti-abortion extremists have long fueled these misconceptions through misinformation and disinformation campaigns targeting Latino communities with egregious lies and inflammatory rhetoric about abortion. Yet, polling, focus groups, and direct interactions with Latino communities have debunked these outdated tropes.

The Latino electorate will prove decisive in securing reproductive freedom and abortion access through ballot measures around the country, particularly in states where Latinos are a significant portion of the electorate.

For Latinos, the freedom to decide, a pillar of our American democracy, is critical. Meanwhile, Latinos are being hit directly with anti-abortion efforts that take away that freedom such as the six-week abortion ban put into effect by the Florida Supreme Court and the 1864 abortion ban upheld by the Arizona Supreme Court. In the wake of the Dobbs decision, people of color and Latinas have felt the impact of a lack of abortion access, an element of basic healthcare.

A 2023 report by the National Partnership for Women and Families estimated that nearly 6.5 million Latinas, or 42% of all Latinas of reproductive age in the country, live in a state that either had or was likely to ban abortion. Ironically, it will be abortion access and anti-choice efforts to restrict freedom of choice that will mobilize Latino voters this election.

In a poll conducted by three national reproductive justice organizations, 87% of Latinas named abortion and women’s rights as one of their top priorities as they head to the polls. Another battleground poll conducted by Somos PAC and BSP Research found that 61% of Latino registered voters expressed a more positive/favorable view of Kamala Harris after hearing that she will protect abortion rights, versus only 19% of Latinos who said they had a more negative view of Harris after hearing that.

In key states to secure the White House and both chambers, Latinos make up large chunks of the electorate: Arizona (25%), Colorado (15%), Florida (20%), Nevada (20%), and New York (12%). In the face of unprecedented attacks on basic healthcare access and targeted attempts by extremists to mislead and divide our community on this issue, this November Latinos will be key deciders on abortion access across the country.

Mari Urbina, Managing Director of Indivisible, Battleground Arizona Lead and former Harry Reid advisor.

Héctor Sánchez Barba is president and CEO of Mi Familia Vota (MFV).