I don’t know about you, but all I hear from my parents during the summer is, “why don’t you go outside and get some fresh air? The weather is so nice, don’t waste your day inside.” Sometimes I take their advice, but I mostly forego the sunshine in favor of staying inside and binge-watching Law and Order SVU. This summer, I’m vowing to get out more, and you should too. Here are some ideas of what you can do while enjoying the great outdoors.

1. I rock the snowflake look, but I hate looking like Boo Radley as much as the next person. What I hate even more is laying out in the hot sun by myself, trying to ignore how much I’m sweating by focusing on how my skin color is hopefully turning from a blinding white to a summery shade of “slightly-less-white.” I figure that this self-inflicted torture could be made more fun by having some friends over, whipping up a big pitcher of lemonade, and all baking in the sun together. Just make sure to use sunscreen, because while being tan is cool, skin cancer is not.

2. Speaking of sweating in the sun, there is a way to cool off besides retreating to the air-conditioned indoors and watching Netflix for six hours straight. In the spirit of the throwback, break out your sprinkler or Slip-n-Slide. That way, you’ll keep yourself up and moving while forgetting about how miserably hot it is outside.

3. Combine two of the best things about summer, food and the weather, and have a picnic or dinner outside. Make some summery foods, such as fruit salad, coleslaw, corn on the cob, hamburgers, etc. Put a blanket out in your backyard and soak up some rays while munching on your delicious dishes.

4. For those of you who can drive, I know I’ve always wanted to take a day trip down to Bethany Beach or Ocean City. If you leave early enough in the morning, you should arrive there in time to be able to enjoy the whole afternoon by the shore. Just make sure to wash off your feet before you get into the car for the ride home.

5. Nobody likes summer homework, but it’s a reality of going to high school. Instead of putting it off until the last minute, bring your summer reading with you to the beach, or get it on audiotape and listen to it on the trip there.

Hopefully these tips will encourage you to brave the outside world this summer. It is possible to beat the heat while having fun in the sun.

Kaley Martin is an Opinion Editor for The Patriot and jcpatriot.com.