Setting goals is a great way to keep yourself focused. Working towards the goal and eventually accomplishing the goal will also give you a sense of satisfaction and pride. Think about what you would like to accomplish with a portion of your time over the summer, and then turn this into a SMART goal, which means that it is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-based. For example, if you would like to learn how to skateboard over the summer, then you might write a SMART goal that reads, "I will practice skateboarding for 20 minutes on at least 3 days per week for the next 6 weeks." To lose weight, you might write a smart goal that reads, "I will lose 5 pounds over the next 30 days by taking daily 30-minute walks and keeping my calories under 1,800 per day." Getting regular physical activity is one of the best things you can do for your overall health. It can help you to control your weight, sleep better, improve your mood, reduce your risk of a variety of diseases, and improve your thinking skills. Aim for 30 minutes of cardiovascular activity on 5 or more days per week, or a total of 150 minutes of cardiovascular activity per week. Some examples of cardiovascular exercise include: Running Swimming Walking Biking Dancing Climbing stairs Summer is the perfect time to experiment with your style. Try out new clothes, hair, makeup, and/or accessories to find what makes you feel confident and comfortable. For example, you could try: Getting a new haircut and color. Try out bangs if you've never had them before, or dye your hair a shade darker than your natural color, or try something even more daring! (Be sure to check with your parents before cutting or dyeing your hair.) Opt for a new style of clothing. If your usual style is preppy, such as khakis and polo shirts, then you might opt for a rocker look by sporting a pair of ripped jeans and a band t-shirt. Look into makeup that will work well with your features. For example, if you are fair-skinned with blue eyes, then you might try a copper eyeshadow to make your eye color pop. Summer is a great time to learn something new! Think about what you would like to learn and find a way to teach yourself. Even if you only spend a small part of each day on learning this new skill, you will have another fun way to spend your time. For example, maybe you want to learn how to speak French. Download an app, such as Duolingo, and commit to practicing for 10 minutes every day during the summer. If you want to learn how to cook, try asking a family member if they would help you learn, or get a beginner's cookbook and use it to help you learn.
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One-sentence summary -- Set a goal to accomplish over the summer. Get 30 minutes of physical activity 5 days per week. Experiment with a new style if you want to change your look. Teach yourself a new skill if you want to learn something.

After waking up and getting dressed, encourage your partner to do the same. Dress appropriately for whatever is next in your morning routine. If you're headed to the office, you should dress in work attire. If you're going to bike or jog a few miles before breakfast, change into your workout clothes. Determine if you'll shower in the night or in the morning? Account for the time it will take for everyone to clean up and get ready in the mornings before getting dressed. If your kids are old enough, they should wake with their alarm clocks and dress themselves. If they are too young to get dressed by themselves, wake them up and dress them yourself. If your kids are messy eaters, you should wait to dress them until after breakfast. You and your family can all brush your teeth together before breakfast. Show your children how to brush their teeth properly, with the brush angled at 45 degrees toward the gums. Remind your children to brush their molars and tongue, too. Tell your children, "Brushing your teeth keeps your breath fresh." Breakfast is the meal that begins the day. Eating a healthy breakfast has been linked to improved memory, lower risk for diabetes and better overall health. Try to find healthy breakfast options that require little to no preparation. For instance, sliced apples, strawberries, and bananas with two slices of whole grain toast is a delicious breakfast option. A green smoothie chock full of kale, blueberries, and spinach is also a good option. Talk to your family about what sorts of healthy breakfast foods they like. Obtain these foods for your morning routine. If you have younger kids, you could take five minutes to snuggle with each child in bed just before they wake up. Talk to them about their dreams that night. With older kids, you could converse with them during breakfast about what they have planned that day. Your kids should be at the bus stop at least five minutes before it arrives. This ensures they will not miss it. Help them remember to grab their book bags and other essentials from the family's predesignated organizational point. If you wish, you could walk your children to the bus. Younger kids might benefit from having you walk to the bus stop with them until they know where it is. Older kids might chafe at being "chaperoned" by you while waiting at the bus stop with their friends. Use your judgment about your child's needs and character to determine if you should or should not walk to the bus stop with your child.
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One-sentence summary -- Get dressed. Get your kids dressed. Brush your teeth. Consume breakfast. Schedule some time to connect with your child. Send your kids out to meet the bus.

Place the potpourri inside a sachet. Leave it there for at least one week. Do not leave it in a dark cupboard; instead find somewhere with fresh air and indirect, cool light. It's a good idea to leave the sachet in the bag when using as well, as the scent will continue to improve the bag's own scent.
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One-sentence summary -- Make or purchase some potpourri. Place the sachet inside the smelly bag. Place the bag in an airy place. Check a week later.

Put away your cell phone, tablet, laptop, and other devices that distract. Be present in the moment with the people around you. It's easier now to multi-task with modern technology, but it often lessens the experience of "being in the moment." Be open to listening to those around you by taking the time to really hear what they are saying. Notice their body language, and tune-in to their actions. Share in activities with others that bring joy. Make the everyday experiences more memorable by sharing them together. Going to the grocery store can be an adventure. Making dinner together can be rewarding. Humor can make ordinary things seem fun. No matter if you are just starting out in a relationship, or have been married for 30 years, it's important to show that you care about your partner even after all these years. Make a special meal for your partner. Be creative. Putting in effort that goes beyond the usual routine is often rewarding for both of you. Give a small gift to show your love. Whether it's a single rose, a handmade craft, or a card, it makes a world of difference to show you care. Small surprises can become lasting memories and help to build stronger relationships. As you become more busy, you may start to be in a sort of "bubble" of school, work, and home, wherein you forget that there are lots of other people going through stressful times like you. So while you're rushing to get from Point A to Point B, stop for a minute and look at the people around you. There might be someone in need, or who is feeling down. Be kind to them, even in the smallest of ways. Sometimes the smallest gesture of kindness can change someone's outlook on their day, their week, their year, or their life.
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One-sentence summary --
Be present. Laugh and be playful together. Make your partner, spouse, or boyfriend/girlfriend feel special. Give back with a simple act of kindness.