Healthy living in summer
Summer has finally arrived! It is time to whip out the BBQs, dig out those bikinis and jet off on holiday for some well-deserved relaxation on the beach. Hello, sunshine! With summer rapidly approaching it is time to get outside and enjoy the outdoors. So while you are busy having fun, traveling, gardening, walking or simply enjoying your favorite pastime in the sun, remember to stay cool and follow these tips to keep your skin and also body healthy in this hot summer season.
Drink plenty of water
During this hot summer season, heat and sweat can leave your body dehydrated. A lack of water is harmful to your body and it can also make you crave food when you are not actually hungry. It is incredibly essential to keep yourself hydrated by drinking at least eight to nine glasses of water a day.
Beware of few ‘healthy’ smoothies
Fruit smoothies are a great source to get your five-a-day and keep refreshed throughout the summer season, but watch out for few smoothies which are made with frozen yogurts or ice cream as they can be extremely calorific.
This healthy smoothie should be made with fruit, low-fat yogurt, juice, and ice. Use any fruit you might have or have kept in the freezer, and throw it all in a blender to make a perfect summer cool drink.
Keep up the exercise regime
Before you hide those running shoes in your wardrobe, remember that summer exercise does not have to stop because of the rising temperatures. Instead of working out outside, change your exercise plan and take it to your indoors. Join a gym, take up a step class, or get a group of friends around for an afternoon of exercise DVDs.
Get wet
Summer season is the perfect time to get wet! Boring runs in the cold wintery weather can be swapped for a summer swim at your local pool or a gym. Start by swimming for 10-15 minutes and increase the time over the following weeks by doing front crawl, breaststroke or backstroke to mix up your cardio workout. A 30-40 minute session of this full body workout will burn almost 400 calories! If swimming laps are not your thing, join a water aerobics class or create your own aerobic workout with jumping jacks, marching and jogging in water.
Olive oil
Olive oil is a healthy fat which contains essential fatty acids that help your skin resist UV damage. These fatty acids are also part of the cell membranes that keep in all that moisture your body loses through the heat and sweat during the summer season. In order to protect your skin and keep it supple, consume about 1-2 tablespoons of olive oil daily or add it to a healthy salad or fish dish in order to get all those essential fatty acids.
Moisturize your skin
In the summer season, it is tempting to ease up on moisturizing because your skin may not feel as dry. But good moisturizers work over time, by promoting your healthy skin with consistent use. We don’t stop eating well or exercising in the summer, so we should not stop taking care of our skin. If you do happen to get a sunburn, act fast to mitigate the negative effects by moisturizing liberally and often with a lotion which is containing aloe vera. This will keep your burned skin well hydrated, and it will help to soothe the discomfort.
Eat healthy by the pool
When the sun is beating down, an idea of seeking out the nearest ice cream stand is seriously more tempting. Stay strong by being prepared, and pack a cooler full of healthy snacks and also juices. Fill your icebox with ice, sandwiches, bottled water, vegetable sticks with hummus, yogurts and endless amounts of fruit.
While we all know the risks sun rays can have on our skin, it is essential to remember the adverse reaction our bodies can have to heat. Our bodies may not always react well due to sudden changes in the atmosphere or a medical condition which can change the body’s normal response to heat. That is why we recommend these tips to keep you active and healthy all summer season long!
