GoodVibes Summer Movement Guide
- Jul 2
- 3 min read
Written by Madeleine Daleng Nyland, CEO of MAD
Madeleine Daleng, a five‑time Norwegian figure skating champion, now empowers people through rehabilitation, obesity coaching, and fitness training, blending elite‑sport insight with a human, down‑to‑earth approach.
Summer has a way of disrupting routines, but that does not mean your progress has to disappear with them. By embracing a more flexible and playful approach to movement, the season can become an opportunity to recharge, stay active naturally, and return feeling stronger than before.
Move like it’s summer: Simple ways to stay active without a plan
Summer has a reputation for “ruining” routines, especially movement and workout routines. As a coach with many years of experience, I’ve heard countless people say that everything they’ve built through the year disappears the moment vacation starts.
But here’s the truth. Summer doesn’t destroy your progress, it can actually strengthen it. We need a break from our normal. We need to switch things up, breathe differently, move differently, and think differently. Summer gives us exactly that.
Why structure often fails in summer
Summer changes our rhythm. Days are longer, routines loosen, and our environment shifts. Research shows that when structure drops, motivation based on discipline alone becomes harder to maintain. That doesn’t mean we become passive, it means we move differently. That’s not a bad thing.
Strict routines can be great during the year, but summer invites us to explore a more intuitive, playful relationship with movement. This is not “giving up.” This is resetting the system.
Hidden movement: The summer activities you forget to count
Most people underestimate how active they actually are during vacation. Non-structured movement, also called lifestyle activity, is proven to support cardiovascular health, mobility, and mental wellbeing just as effectively as formal exercise.
Think about it:
Walking to the beach
Swimming
Playing with kids
Hiking
Beach volleyball
Paddleboarding
Jumping on a trampoline
Exploring a new city
Carrying groceries to the cabin
Diving, splashing, laughing
These activities challenge strength, balance, agility, mobility, and cardio, without you even noticing.
Summer movement is not “less.” It’s simply different. If you stay open, playful, and curious, movement will find you. Say yes. Enjoy having a body that works. Let your mind and your muscles breathe.
The mental reset your body actually needs
Letting go of strict routines is not laziness, it’s recovery. Even elite athletes have off-season periods to restore their nervous system, rebuild energy, and return stronger.
Summer gives you mental decompression, reduced stress hormones, more sunlight (which boosts serotonin and regulates sleep), social connection, and time to reflect and reset. These are not “extras.” They are essential components of long-term health.
When you allow yourself to rest, play, and move freely, you often return to autumn with:
Higher motivation
More energy
Better mood
A stronger desire to train
A deeper connection to your body
A simple goal for the season
Instead of chasing structure, try this. Do something active every day, structured or not. That’s it. A walk, swim, stretch, game, and dance. Ten minutes or two hours, it all counts.
Leave the summer feeling rested, restored, energized, grateful, and ready for autumn. You might be surprised by how strong you feel when September arrives.
For those who do want a tiny routine
Some people feel better with a small anchor in their day. If that’s you, here’s a simple GoodVibes option, The 10-Minute GoodVibes Morning Flow. Perfect for the cabin, the balcony, the beach, or your living room.
Read more from Madeleine Daleng Nyland
Madeleine Daleng Nyland, CEO of MAD
Madeleine Daleng is a five‑time Norwegian figure skating champion who now channels her competitive drive into helping people rebuild strength, confidence, and health. With a background from the Norwegian School of Sports Science, she works across rehabilitation, obesity coaching, and fitness training. Her approach blends elite‑athlete discipline with warmth, humor, and real‑life understanding. As the founder of MAD, she supports clients through personal training, group fitness, and long‑term lifestyle change. She also inspires a wider audience through her YouTube channel, Madeleinedaleng_goodvibes.
