Daily Skimm Weekend: Y ou won’t break my soul

July 4th Weekend: These last few weeks have been, well, a lot. Which means the holiday weekend — not to mention, the extra OOO — couldn’t have come at a better time. So here are a few ways to relax and recharge.

If you want to take it outside…

…and adventure is your thing: Consider taking a day trip to one of the country’s 400-plus national parks, where you can hike, bike, and do so much more. Think: sledding at the Great Sand Dunes in Colorado, fishing at Assateague Island in Maryland or Virginia, and snorkeling at Gulf Islands National Seashore in Florida.

…and you’re looking for quality fam time: Enjoy a little friendly competition in your own yard with croquet, cornhole, Spikeball, Kan Jam, and a giant Jenga game. Of course, if you prefer to watch the competition, you could also head to a minor league or a Major League Baseball game.

If eating all the things is the only plan you have…

…and you want to spice up your grocery run: Head to a nearby farm or orchard where you can pick your own produce. (FYI: Blueberries, strawberries, peaches, nectarines, and corn should all be in season.)

…and must-haves are on your list: For your main dish, you could stick with tried-and-true burgers. Or you could make barbecue pulled chicken sandwiches for meat lovers, as well as stuffed peppers for a meatless option.

…and you’re looking for new traditions: Serve some of your main dishes with creative takes on classic sides, like coleslaw (see: stone fruit slaw) or corn (see: bang bang corn), then follow it up with a berry delicious sorbet or cheesecake for dessert.

…and you need a drink to go along with it: Pour yourself one of these alcoholic or non-alcoholic refreshments.

If your couch misses you…

…and there’s not enough drama in your life: Two sci-fi favorites are back: The futuristic fantasy series “Westworld” just kicked off its fourth season — with Ariana DeBose joining the cast. And the Netflix hit “Stranger Things” just released the final part of its fourth season.

…and you need a pick-me-up: The Hulu whodunit “Only Murders in the Building” is back for its second season. Plus, Maya Rudolph recently made her premiere in the new series “Loot,” in which she plays the newly-divorced wife of a tech mogul.

…and you like to chill with a thrill: “Chloe,” a psychological drama starring Erin Doherty, is practically guaranteed to have you on the edge of your seat.

theSkimm

Whatever you decide to do, savoring time off is imperative. Studies have shown that a little bit of downtime can go a long way: It improves your mood, energy, and productivity. So this weekend, make the most of it.

A long weekend means more time to do the things you love. For many of us, that’s reading. Whether you're looking for a book you can't put down or a summer beach read, here are our top five picks…

Here are today’s recs to help you live a smarter life…

1. The best Fourth of July sales to shop right now. From Brooklinen to Urban Outfitters to Anthropologie. We rounded up can't-miss deals to take advantage of this holiday weekend. Get saving.

2. Office-ready summer outfits that'll have you looking stylish. You don't wanna sweat on the commute in, but you do wanna look professional. We've got ya covered. Add a cute pair of shoes and head to work.

3. Modern patio furniture that’ll upgrade your backyard. There’s still more than enough time to turn your space into an outdoor oasis. If you’re planning a get-together, don’t forget to stock some drink options too.

Skimm HQ is taking time off for the holiday weekend. See you back in your inbox on Wednesday.

More Skimm, more knowledge. Here’s what else we covered this week…

Why swimming lessons are essential for your family, this summer and always

No doubt, check out Gwen Stefani talking about “The Voice” and what she’s reading

Why female athletes are saying Wimbledon's dress code has got to go

State-by-state legal battles over abortion, Skimm'd

With Roe overturned, here’s what you need to know about IVF and Plan B

Like ours, your work and personal calendars are probably hectic. So here are some events you should know about...

PS: Want more events like this on your cal? theSkimm App gives you a heads-up on when everything from holidays to sports games to awards shows are going down. Download it here.

Don't miss out on the latest member-only discounts. We’re saying hello to self-care staples, gifts, and more — and goodbye to full prices. Log in or join theSkimm Loyalty Program to get in on the savings.