Everyone wants to have a great summer and being healthy can help it be even better. Summer is a great time of year because you get more vitamin D, there are lots of fruits and vegetables in season, and there is good weather to spend time outdoors. Here are some things to try out and some other things to avoid to have a successful summer!
Do block the sun. Being outside in the sun is lots of fun, but getting a sunburn … is not. There are several reasons you should always wear sunscreen including a reduced risk of skin cancer, younger and healthier-looking skin, more even skin tone, and protection from harmful rays. You can also protect your skin from the sun by wearing long sleeves and pants. Wearing flowy clothes that cover more of your skin will help to protect you. You should also remember to wear sunglasses to avoid damage and future issues with your eyes.
Do get dirty. Digging in the dirt and spending time with nature is a great way to boost your health and wellbeing. We previously wrote an article about the health benefits of growing a garden and there are some great benefits. Growing a garden can reduce your stress, increase happiness, boost relationships, save money, and even count as exercise!
Do stay hydrated. We all know that drinking water is important, but it is even more important
during the hot summer months. Dignity Health explains, “Similar to the way an engine malfunctions with low levels of coolant, the body can malfunction without proper water intake. If you don’t drink enough water, you become dehydrated, which leads to undesirable side effects. However, if you drink more water, there are many remarkable benefits.”
Do see friends and family. The summer is a great time of year to make plans with friends and family. The weather is nice and there are lots of things you can do outdoors together. Spending time with people you care about and have good relationships can bring many benefits to your health and your happiness.
Don’t eat as much meat. Your body already has a harder time digesting meat due to its lack of fiber. During the summer when it is hot, your body is trying to expel as much heat as possible and consuming a lot of meat can make this process even more difficult. Trying to digest meat in the hot summer months will be difficult and not help your body cool down. Do your best to replace meat with fresh fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are full of phytonutrients and will give you many health benefits.
Don’t skimp on sleep. Just because it’s summertime, doesn’t mean you should be staying up late every night. Everyone benefits from a good night’s rest both physically and mentally. Sticking to a bedtime schedule will help your body get used to going to bed and waking up at a certain time. You can also lower the temperature in your house to cool your body down, get your mind ready for bed, and stay asleep all night.
Don’t forget to exercise. During the hot months, it might seem easier to lay around and live a more sedentary lifestyle. But exercise is still just as important! Find a time every day to exercise, even if you have fun summer plans. This exercise will help reduce your stress, keep you feeling confident, and boost your health.
Summer is an exciting time of year and there is often a lot of activities going on. Don’t forget to take care of yourself in all areas of your life. Living a healthy lifestyle in the summertime will help you to have the best summer ever!