Just like flickering fireflies on a warm July night, the relaxing days of summer often pass by in a flash — but it doesn't mean you have to let go of your lighter, breezier mindset.

All it takes to keep an easygoing mental outlook are a few simple behavior switch-ups. To help you shift your habits, we asked mindfulness experts and summer enthusiasts to share their top tips and tricks.

Lean into the laidback vibes

It starts with noticing the changes as the weather turns warmer. With the busy state of our day-to-day lives, "It's important as summer approaches to be on the lookout at the world around you and adjust your mind and body accordingly," says Elisha Goldstein, Ph.D., clinical psychologist and co-founder of The Center for Mindful Living in Los Angeles, CA. "When you do that, your mind and body slow down and you're more aware of what's happening in the moment."

Be up for anything

There's something about summer that makes us more apt to take a trip or get together with pals without much planning. It can be fun to try to keep that flexibility year-round. When you find yourself with free time, throw an impromptu happy hour or hop in the car for a last-minute road trip. Keeping weekends spontaneous when you can — even once the school year starts and work ramps back up — is a good way to continue the carefree spirit of the season.

Prioritize the positive people in your life

Summer is often the most social of seasons, so it's a good time to bolster your support system. Don't be afraid to forge friendships with people you meet "who are naturally inspiring," suggests Dr. Goldstein, and make a concentrated effort to spend more time with people who lift your mood. "People are the greatest environmental cues," he says, "and those social cues remind us to live in this particular way on a daily basis."

— With additional reporting from Life and Money by Citi editors.