The best advice we’re taking from movies this summer

Art is said to imitate life. At Polygon, we know the opposite can also be true — and in fact, we regularly take it a step further and use our favorite movies as guides for everyday living.

Summer season is one of the most popular seasons. Lottery TicketsPressure. Gone are the days where kicking a ball outside or hanging out on the playground were enough for a fun summer’s day. Now everyone on social media is at some cool rooftop bar, or sailing on a yacht, or at another Taylor Swift concert, or at a Taylor Swift concert on a yacht’s cool rooftop bar.

So, from some of our favorite movies, here’s some bona fide advice for a wonderful summer!

Keep in touch with your old friends using a system that suits you

Sisterhood of Traveling Pants

Unfortunately we can’t all find a pair of jeans that magically fits four different friends with four different body types. Try sending postcards, making friendship bracelets, or exchanging the same toy for travel!

Take care of yourself

High School Musical 2

Image: Disney

Sharpay sings “Like Sharpay” High School Musical 2, you deserve fabulous! This summer, treat yourself to a special gift.

Be open-minded to new opportunities!

You can also check out

It’s never too late in life for an adventure! Just look at Carl, who decided to take matters into his own hands and fulfill his dreams — and keep his life open to new possibilities after finally taking that grand trip to Paradise Falls.

Protect yourself when you are having fun in the sun!

Mamma Mia

Universal Pictures

You don’t want three different men showing up at your future daughter’s wedding, after all!

Keep active.

Forrest Gump

Running is a great way to stay active during summer. However, a quick dip in the swimming pool can also be a fun and effective activity.

You should not repeat any mysterious curses you have found in ancient texts.

The Mummy

This might sound like an awesome idea but maybe it’s not??

Spend some money on cool shades.

Breakfast at Tiffany’s

Paramount Pictures

Holly Golightly may be facing extreme existential ennui — but at least she looks gorgeous! The UV rays that can damage the cornea, eyelid, lens and retina are harmful. Good sunglasses protect you from them. And they look nice.

Make sure to check that the theme park you’re visiting is up to code!

Jurassic Park

Sometimes, the thrill isn’t worth it. You might want to pass on an offer for something that sounds too dangerous or that is advertised as being “too good to be true”.

Pack sunscreen!

The Hangover

Warner Bros. Pictures

Never know when friends might leave you for hours on a roof. The sunscreen protects your skin against harmful UV rays that can cause premature aging and skin cancer.

Get outside and enjoy the outdoors!

The parent trap

Chances are you won’t have to deal with the pesky 11-year-old twins of your hot, rich fiance sending your air mattress off onto the lake in the middle of the night. You may want to stay at home if you’re engaged to someone whose ex-wife has just recently reappeared and you were planning to send his child to Swiss boarding schools.

Try a new dish!

Ratatouille

You might be surprised by something that has humble beginnings. You can try a different restaurant or even new recipes. Anyone can learn to cook, just like our friend Remy. There’s a dish that you love waiting to be made.

Don’t fall asleep. Don’t fall asleep. You can be found in your sleep.

A Nightmare on Elm Street

New Line Cinema

Freddy Krueger never rests. Why would you want to?

Remember your mosquito repellant if you’re spending time outside!

Lilo & Stitch

Pleakley had the mistaken impression that the mosquito was a species in danger and so was not prepared for their bites. Don’t be like Pleakley!

Use lighter shades to fight the heat!

Lawrence of Arabia

Columbia Pictures

T.E. Lawrence and his friends knew how to keep cool even in the hottest heat.

Avoid food allergies by double-checking the ingredients of new foods!

Knives Out Mystery: The Glass Onion

You should also carry an epipen!

Don’t stop walking. Continue walking. Don’t let it catch you.

Then What?

This is what people are saying!

Enjoy the fruits of the season!

Please call me by your name

Image: Sony Pictures Classics

Berries, watermelon, and cantaloupes are all in season — and more delicious than normal. Find the best produce at your local farmer’s market. There’s no better snack on a hot summer’s day than some fresh fruit. The peaches at this time are extra juicy.

Stop fighting it. Stop fighting it.

The Babadook

E̵̪̊̒̐m̸̢̺͛̍̆̄͌b̶͙̣̆͛̽̚r̸̨̨͍̰̜̃̍ą̷̙̩̪̔̈́̕c̶͕̖͐́é̴̛͉̺̺ ̸̳̀̽͗ṭ̶̐̉h̴̠̭̀̈́e̷̡̠͉̐̂̇̽͐ ̸̡̺͠͠d̶̢̬̭͖̉̄͝a̶̳͉͌r̷͉͍͗͛̓̕k̵̨̏͐̚ṋ̸̤̯̏̌̾̊e̸̮̱̭͛̕͜ş̸̼͕͉̒̂͛ș̶͚̲̝̔̉̚

If you’re going skinny-dipping, make sure to keep an eye on your clothes!

El Dorado Road

DreamWorks

Miguel and Tulio did a terrible mistake by leaving their clothes unattended when they went to soak in the hot springs. Monkeys stole them and they had to chase the monkeys through the jungle — and when they got their clothes back, they had to deal with fleas! Keep your towels, clothes and other items within sight.

Cabin in the Woods

Hydrate!

Mad Max Fury Road