10 Summer Self-Care Ideas That Actually Make You Smarter
This post: summer self-care ideas that boost your brain power—designed for thoughtful women who want mental clarity and mindful growth.
Most self-care lists talk about candles, pedicures, and bath bombs. And while those can have their place, there’s a different kind of self-care that’s often overlooked—
One that sharpens your mind, stretches your thinking, and reconnects you to the parts of yourself that get dulled by noise and busyness.
This summer, let’s reclaim self-care not just as rest, but as refinement.
If you’ve wrapped up a busy season of life or work, like I have, and you’re feeling that itch to stay sharp (without overwhelming yourself), this list is for you. ↓
These are quiet, nourishing, mind-sharpening practices—intellectually engaging, emotionally anchoring, and deeply restorative. They’re free or nearly free, and they’re designed for women who love ideas, depth, and intentional living.
And before we dive in, if you’re new here—this post is part of my Summer Self-Care Series, where I share weekly, soul-deep, self-care ideas for smart, introverted women who want to feel more like themselves again. Subscribe to receive a free, weekly reset delivered to your inbox all summer long!
(Also, be sure to grab the Self-Care for Introverts Kit—it’s full of practices, prompts, and rituals for women who crave quiet and clarity.)
10 Summer Self-Care Ideas That Actually Make You Smarter
Invite a friend or your spouse or kids to join you, if you want. Or go solo! But pick one. Start this week. Sharpen yourself slowly and kindly. ↓
1) Read one classic book you’ve never read.
Not something you feel like you should read—something you’re genuinely curious about.
Dickens. Austen. Tolstoy. Bronte.
When you sit with one writer’s mind for several hundred pages, you build endurance, focus, and a different kind of mental clarity than what audiobooks or social media offer.
2) Start a commonplace book.
This is a quiet self-care practice that combines reading, reflecting, and writing.
Get a blank notebook (I keep a few of these on hand). Fill it with quotes, insights, scripture, lines from poems, prayers, and anything else that strikes you. It’s like creating your own personal canon.
The act of writing things by hand deepens your understanding and helps you internalize what matters.
3) Use Duolingo (or Drops, or Memrise) to learn a new language.
Language learning wakes up your brain in all the best ways—it activates memory, logic, intuition, and creativity. Plus, it can be done in five-minute blocks while drinking your coffee or sitting outside.
Bonus points if you choose a language tied to your heritage or travel dreams.
4) Read a theology book.
Explore an author who can help you think more deeply about God, faith, or grace—George MacDonald, C.S. Lewis, John Piper, or even someone you haven’t read in years.
Spiritual reflection is its own kind of nourishment
5) Write one essay or reflection per week.
You don’t have to publish it. Choose one idea or question—something you’ve been chewing on—and write 300-500 words about it.
What do you think? Where did that belief come from? What have you noticed?
Writing builds intellectual muscle and helps you make sense of your own inner world.
6) Memorize something meaningful—slowly and intentionally.
This summer, commit one piece of text to memory. It could be Scripture (I’m working on Psalm 30), a favorite poem, a section of a historical speech, or even a quote that’s become a personal anchor.
Memorization slows the mind down, stretches your attention span, and invites repetition with depth. Choose something you want to live with—not just recall.
Also read: “3 Science-Backed Self-Care Tips for Moms”
7) Tutor a child in a subject you love.
Nothing sharpens your understanding like teaching someone else.
Whether it’s math, reading, or dance, tutoring forces you to slow down and explain things clearly—and that’s a form of self-care too. It reconnects you to your sense of purpose and helps your brain stay active and generous.
8) Have a silent reading hour once a week.
This can be solo, or you can invite a friend or two. Set a timer. Bring your own books. No discussion, no phones, no background music—just reading.
(Don’t have an entire hour to devote to reading? Block off 20 minutes.)
It sounds small, but there’s something sacred about uninterrupted, communal stillness. It strengthens attention span, restores quiet, and helps you finish more books.
9) Start a summer self-study.
Pick a topic you’ve always wanted to understand better—philosophy, early church history, art criticism, storytelling structure.
You don’t need a degree to study deeply. Find three books, one YouTube lecture series, and one podcast or article archive. That’s your syllabus. Study for the joy of it!
10) Practice “deep noticing.”
Once a week, go outside with a notebook and observe something in nature closely. A tree. A shadow. A bird. A breeze. Then describe it in as much detail as you can—its shape, sound, movement, texture, behavior.
This trains your brain to pay attention again, to see what you’ve been rushing past. It’s a gentle but powerful rewiring practice.
Summer Self-Care as Personal Refinement
This list isn’t about hustle or optimization.
It’s about reclaiming summer as a time for intentional growth—mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.
These practices don’t demand hours of your day, but they ask for presence. And in return, they’ll give you clarity, calm, and a mind that feels refreshed, not dulled.
Want a gentle but structured self-care guide to carry with you this season?
Grab my Self-Care for Introverts Kit. It’s the perfect companion for thoughtful, intentional women who are ready to live with intentional, grace-filled rhythms that restore.
Discover what’s inside the self-care kit ->
Just remember: you’re enriching your soul and your mind—and that’s the kind of self-care that lasts.
💐 Here’s to living well—
Kristy
💬 Frequently Asked Questions About Summer Self-Care
How do you take care of your body in the summer?
Summer self-care for your body isn’t just about hydration and sunscreen—though those matter. For smart, introverted women, it also means caring for your brain and nervous system. Try adding rest-oriented walks, screen-free evenings, or gentle movement like stretching or restorative yoga. Pairing physical rest with mental clarity is the key to whole-body renewal.
Is July 24 Self Care Day?
Yes—July 24 is recognized as International Self-Care Day, a global reminder to prioritize your well-being. But for many women, one day isn’t enough. That’s why I created the Summer Self-Care Series—to give you intentional practices all season long. Whether you start on July 24 or today, your mind and spirit deserve regular care.
What are the best self-care activities for summer?
The best summer self-care activities are the ones that meet you where you are and move you toward who you’re becoming. Some of my favorites? Deep reading, journaling, starting a summer study, writing reflections, learning a new language, or getting out in nature for a few minutes every day. These self-care ideas actually make you smarter—not just more relaxed.
How do I take care of myself in summer without spending a lot of money?
Contrary to what most of us might think, true self-care is typically free. The self-care routines that last, and recalibrate your mind and ground your energy, are more about mindset and less about money. Start by tuning in: What do I need more of—silence, structure, creativity, stimulation, or rest? Then create a rhythm around practices that feed that need. (Opt in to receive a FREE weekly reset all summer long.)
Can self-care help with mental clarity and focus?
Absolutely. Summer is the perfect time to reset your routines and let go of mental clutter. Intentional practices like writing weekly reflections, studying something new, or reading physical books instead of scrolling can dramatically increase your clarity. These aren’t just self-care ideas—they’re long-term brain-support strategies.
