Summer is a time of sand, sea, sun and lots of fun, but it is also a time of year when you need to be especially careful about your health because everything from too much sun to too little water can sabotage your body and make you feel less than your best.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some basic things you can do to stay healthy this summer:
Hydrate, Hydrate and Hydrate Some More
Okay, so the first thing you are going to want to do if you want to be healthy this summer, is to make sure that you drink enough water. Why? Because when it’s hot and sunny outside, your body basically turns into a slow-cooker, and your store of water is “cooked” by the warmth. This can very quickly lead to you becoming dehydrated if you are not careful. So, you need to be very careful about sipping plenty of water throughout the day. Things like sparkling water, fruit juice and mocktails also count, as does fruit like watermelon that has a high-water content, so it should not be too hard to keep your hydration levels high!
Eat the Rainbow, Not the Fireworks
Summer produce is basically nature’s sample sale, bursting with antioxidants and short expiration dates. Load plates with berries, tomatoes, zucchini ribbons, and peaches so ripe they require leaning over the sink. Prioritize meals that are raw or quickly sautéed to preserve vitamins and keep the kitchen from morphing into a sauna. For protein, think grilled salmon, chickpea salads, or cold sesame noodles with a generous scattering of edamame. These choices spike energy without the post-barbecue slump that sneaks up after three helpings of ribs.
Move Smart, Not Harder
Exercising in midday sun is a choice, yet there are cooler ones. Shift workouts to early morning or twilight when sidewalks are less molten. Swap high-intensity circuits for swimming laps, paddleboarding, or a bike ride along shaded trails. If air conditioning is non-negotiable, try a Pilates streaming class that fits into the time you usually spend scrolling for memes. Consistent motion keeps circulation happy, helps skin glow, and balances those extra ice cream scoops that somehow followed you home.
Protect Your Skin, It Protects You
Sunscreen is the unsung hero that makes aging gracefully look effortless. Choose a broad-spectrum SPF thirty or higher, apply a teaspoon for the face and two tablespoons for the body, then reapply every two hours or after swimming. Mineral formulas with zinc oxide avoid the reef-harming chemicals and play nicely with sensitive skin. Wide-brim hats, linen shirts, and yes, a pair of designer sunglasses complete the armour, shielding fragile eye skin and elevating your entire look in one slid-on gesture. Polarised lenses reduce glare, letting you read beach novels without squint lines appearing by page fifty.
Chill Your Mind, Not Just Your Drinks
Wellness is a full-body sport that includes the brain. Longer daylight tempts you to book every weekend solid, yet downtime is vital. Schedule at least one evening each week for nothing more than a porch, a playlist, and a slowly melting popsicle. Meditation apps can help you defrag after work, or try a literal cool-down with a ten-minute cold shower that jolts the nervous system into zen submission. Quality sleep rounds it out; keep the bedroom under seventy degrees, draw blackout curtains, and silence notifications so REM cycles are more binge season, less commercial break.
Stay sensible, stay healthy, enjoy your summer!
