keep COVID (and other germs) at bay Though Australians (particularly young Australians) have done a fab job getting the jab, living with COVID-19 means we still have to be careful. Follow government advice regarding mask-wearing, vaccine mandates and safe hygiene, and you’ll have a fun, hopefully COVID-free summer. 

find safe transportation Since you’ve spent so long having parties in your PJs and shindigs in your living room, you may have forgotten about the importance of safe transportation. When you’re hopping from the bar to a friend’s place and back home again, it pays to have a plan for worry-free travel. The folks at on-demand taxi service 13cabs keep safety top of mind. Their full-time, professional drivers are fully vaccinated, and have undergone rigorous background and training. You can find them via the 13cabs app. 

wear sunscreen We reckon one of the first and most important things we learnt in school was to slip, slap, slop. Even though you’re a grown-up now – and you’ve lived through a global pandemic – you absolutely can’t start slacking in the all-important SPF department. This summer, keep sunscreen everywhere, from your car to your kitchen to your bedside table, so you never have any excuse to skip the sun protection. Go for SPF30 or higher.

stay hydrated You might be so busy – with work, school or all your rad summer socialising plans – that it’s a miracle you manage to accomplish any important self-maintenance tasks beyond brushing your teeth (and some days that feels like a big ask). Still, drinking a heap of water is one of the best things you can do for your bod, especially in the dog days of summer. Keep a big reusable water bottle around the house and fill it every morning, and aim to drink two litres a day. If you do go out for a tipple or two (or more), take sips of water alongside your booze. 

take care of your brain Huzzah! You finally get to hang out with your mates again! That doesn’t mean you need to overdo it in the socialising department. It’s still important to be gentle with yourself. Spend time at home for a bit of a recharging sesh as often as you need. The fun get-togethers will be waiting for you when you’re ready!