Long evenings, warm breezes, sunny days—summer will soon be here, and it will be time to embrace the utmost enjoyment of the season by stepping away from life’s complexities. In 2024, the solution lies in fostering new, relaxing ways of enjoying summer, whether that means your home being more efficient, or altering how you relax. While unwinding from your day-to-day life, nurturing your well-being, and streamlining your space, make sure to enable these trending summer hacks to ensure a seamless living experience.

To many, your home is your sanctuary; it is a centrepiece for relaxation, and this summer, get ready to optimise your space with these home optimisation hacks. Make sure your home is effortlessly inviting, more efficient, and above all, cooler!

Energy-saving smart technology will make it easier than ever to chill and relax in a summer home without the danger of increased energy bills.

Your budget can breathe easier with smart thermostats. Smart devices, such as Ecobee or Nest, learn your daily routine and will automatically adjust to save energy when you’re not home. Studies reveal you can save 10-15% per year on cooling costs with smart thermostats.

• Smart Fans and Shades – Connect your ceiling fan and motorised shades to your cooling system. They should be able to activate themselves at the same time when the temperature soars outside. Remember to set them to increase airflow while blocking heat during the sun’s peak moments.

• Energy Monitoring Tools – Devices such as Sense Energy Monitor will offer you a comprehensive view into your usage of energy, allowing you to save money by cutting down on energy expenditure.

Minimalist Decorating Tips

Summers tend to have the greatest impact on minimalist approach decorating your living space. Simple summer does not require much decoration which, in turn, eliminates the feelings of stress clutter tends to bring with them.

• Choose pastel shades as well as whites and beiges, which will enhance the space, making it warmer while simultaneously creating an illusion of enlarged space.

• Give away your heavy décor, replacing them with breezy sheer curtains or lightly woven cotton throws.

• To keep the space tidy, eliminate clutter by choosing functional decorative pieces such as wall hooks for beach bags or a woven basket dedicated to children’s toys, transforming the space while adding style and charm.

Minimalism has become an approach sought after as it is beyond beauty; inviting clarity and tranquility into your home is a dramatic life changing shift.

Health and Wellness Hacks

The increase in temperature always has a positive impact when it comes to being active and focusing on your overall wellbeing. Here are some effective and useful hacks targeted towards keeping you mindful, active, and well fed throughout the warm season.

Simple Yet Healthy Recipes for Summer

During summer, people want to stay active and healthy without spending too much time cooking. Here are a few relevant suggestions:

• Salads in a Jar: Pour consecutively: vegetables, protein, and sauce in a jar or bowl. This can be very handy for lunches on the go. Also, putting the sauce at the bottom of the jar works wonders for the texture and taste of the salad.

• Smoothie Prep: To make smoothies, simply put your favourite fruits in zip lock bags and place them in the freezer. This will allow you to make a smoothie in under two minutes and is great for on-the-go people.

• Sheet Pan Dinner: Mix vegetables and your protein of choice like chicken or fish with olive oil and herbs. Spread them onto the pan and roast it. This takes minimal effort while still cooking a healthy dinner.

These meals are low time consuming and very uncomplicated to prepare. They serve to not only save time but also ensure one is eating healthily.

Meditation and Mindfulness Techniques

It’s quite astonishing how summer can have just as many stressors as other seasons. Attending events, going for vacations, and maintaining social interactions can get overwhelming, so finding time to relax is essential too.

• Meditate: For a good start to the day, people can opt for a 5-minute guided meditation using apps like Calm or Headspace.

Before diving into the heart of the matter, it is important to address the two techniques that make this entire section easier and highly efficient.

• Breathing Techniques: The most common one is box breathing, which refers to inhaling for four seconds, holding one’s breath for four, exhaling for another four, and holding again for four. It alleviates stress in tense environments.

• Mindful Walks: One could also go on walks in the evening and take in the extra daylight. Focus on everything around, paying attention to even the minutest details, such as feeling the light breeze or hearing the chirping of birds.

These small, manageable practices can significantly enhance your awareness as well as your mental state.

Additionally, relaxation along with leisure can be maximised through deliberate practices as well.

When discussing relaxation within the busiest times of the year, the summer, it seems to be effortless. However, incorporating leisure requires investing a minimal amount of effort beforehand.

Leisure and travelling during summer have always been interlinked for most people; after all, it is the holy grail of rest. But organising potential getaways can be daunting and bothersome. So here are some helpful tweaks that will allow you to make the most out of your summer with the least amount of hassle.

• Travel Apps: The first thing everyone should be doing nowadays is utilising apps that track flight prices for you, such as Hopper. This guarantees that you’ll get the best deal without constantly refreshing.

• Packing Cubes: They make the process of packing a suitcase a much smoother experience by dividing the suitcase into different compartments.

• Pre-scheduled Rideshares: Eliminate any chance of missing flights by blocking out all the last-minute chaos of scrambling for transportation.

With these pieces of advice, I am sure, you, like me, enjoy all aspects of the holiday. After all, these suggestions will leave you with plenty of time to relax and soak up the sun.

Constructing a Backyard Paradise

Irrespective of whether there are any planned holidays, why worry? Put that unused backyard space to use and turn it into a personal retreat that can satisfy even the most discerning travellers.

• Perfect for evening relaxation or hanging out with friends, Outdoor String Lights create a warm atmosphere.

• Be it for roasting marshmallows or stargazing on tranquil summer evenings, Portable Fire Pits are a must-have.

• The addition of a hammock or cosy lawn chairs makes unwinding easy and comfortable.

From the addition of a few upgraded structures, your backyard becomes a place to host gatherings, reminisce, and indulge in all sorts of memories.

Make This Summer Sweeter and Simpler

At the heart of 2024’s summer is the beauty of simplicity and undoing everything we have ever known. Finding serenity with mindfulness supplemented with effortless meals while optimising your home space is the goal here. These summer hacks allow for pure restoration, intention, and joy.

One thing is certain; regardless of whether you are enjoying your cup of coffee while looking at the new decor in your clutter-free living room or you are stargazing in your newly designed backyard oasis, you will be living your best (and most enjoyable) summer.

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