As soon as the days get warmer and the nature greener, we start spending more time outside. However, even though they have their benefits, the summer sun and the blazing heat can sometimes take their toll on our health. Here are some tips on how to stay healthy during summer, while enjoying the great outdoors.
Eat seasonal food
The best thing about summer is the variety of fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables available. Plus, if you visit a farmers’ market near you, you’ll really have the chance to enjoy all the colors and scents of summer. Sweet and sour cherries, all sorts of berries, peaches, apricots and melons will make for a wonderful snack, while you can make vitamin-rich salads using tomatoes, bell peppers and cucumbers in combination with some low-fat cheese. Eating local and seasonal food will help you lose those extra pounds, or maintain your perfect weight once you reach it, but it will keep you healthier in any case.
Drink plenty of water
Staying hydrated is essential whatever the season, but particularly so in summer. If you spend a lot of time outside, in the direct sun, you can dehydrate in no time, as well as experience fatigue, and in extreme cases even heat stroke. This is why you should always have a bottle of water on you. Avoid sugary drinks and sodas, and if plain water is boring to you, infuse it with some lemon, cucumber or grapefruit slices, or you can simply throw in some mint or a few strawberries for some fun summer flavor. The important thing is to drink as soon as you feel thirsty, as well as a bit before you leave home on a hot day.
Stay safe in the sun
Although being in the sun can be an enjoyable experience, you should always be careful when you’re spending time outdoors during summer. Avoid being in the sun when it’s the strongest, which is between 11 in the morning and 3 in the afternoon, and if you have to be outside during that period, do your best to stay in the shade. Furthermore, if you’re physically active, take frequent breaks to take shelter from the sun and hydrate. It’s also crucial that you wear sunscreen to protect yourself from the harmful ultraviolet rays. Find an affordable and quality discount chemist online and invest in sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which you should apply about half an hour before you leave home and reapply every few hours, paying special attention to your shoulders, face and lips. If possible, spend your outdoor time in parks or the countryside, surrounded by trees and nature, or near water to cool yourself down.
Watch the sunset
Taking a moment to reflect, calm yourself down and simply enjoy life is as important for your health as your diet and physical activity. Take advantage of the nice weather and indulge yourself in all the things you like. Whether it’s spending time with friends, your family or pet, reading books and listening to your favorite music, or traveling abroad, you should do whatever relaxes you. Go out, see a film at the cinema or go to a rock concert, but just do whatever makes you happy.
Wear the right clothes
The clothes you wear during summer should be light in more than one way. Not only should they be light-colored, to reflect sun rays, but also made of lightweight materials, such as cotton. Opt for loose-fitting models, rather than tight-fitting clothes and remember that tightly woven fabric protects from the sun much more efficiently than the loose woven one. Nowadays, you can even buy sun protective clothing to keep you safe from UV rays. Also, if you want to make a fashion statement, make it a useful one by wearing a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses with the UV rating of at least 50.
Stay active
Go hiking or cycling in the countryside, play beach volleyball with your friends or try a new water sport. Swimming and surfing are great, but scuba-diving, paddleboards and kayaks can be even more fun. Instead of going to the gym, take your workout to your local park, but do it early in the morning, or in the evening, when the sun is low. Some late-night bed activities with your partner could be very beneficial as well, for burning some calories and for improving your mood. Any kind of physical activity will help you maintain good overall health this summer.
Make the best of this summer season by having fun, while staying fit and healthy. Take advantage of the nice weather and the benefits of nature to keep moving and live your life to the fullest.