Everything seems easier in the summer, doesn’t it? Whether you are more relaxed because tasks need to be less rushed due to the longer days or the prospect of holidaying in warmer climates means that not even the biggest disaster at work or home can bring you down, there is just something about the summer that leaves us laid back.
That makes it the perfect time to incorporate ways into your everyday life that can have a positive impact on your health and wellbeing. From taking advantage of the seasonal fruits available to improve your diet or creating something special in an unused corner of your yard, here are five top tips for a healthy summer.
Get planting
The summer is the perfect time to get into your back yard and turn it into something special. There are so many advantages to planting a small garden that it’s difficult to know where to start. It will brighten up your property, offer a great source of exercise – you can burn anywhere between 200 and 600 calories while gardening, provide you and your family with fresh, organic produce if you grow your own vegetables and ultimately help you unwind.
Exercise regularly
Exercising becomes much easier in the summer than the winter. A family bike ride on a warm summers evening is much more appealing than a dreary Sunday in February; swimming can cool you down and help improve your cardio vascular fitness and for those jetting off on a beach holiday and wanting to look good for it, it’s the perfect excuse to hit the gym, where women can tone their tummies, men their pecs through Lower Chest Exercises and both sexes can shift those final few pounds of excess winter weight.
Add berries to your diet
An abundance of berries become more greatly available in the summer, making it the perfect time to introduce them to your diet. Blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, whatever takes your fancy – or you could be really bold and include all three in a mixed cup. Have some at least once a day and you’ll be helping your body load up on antioxidants which can prevent damage to tissues and reduce the risk of age-related illnesses and fiber which helps manage cholesterol levels.
Take a vacation
That most traditional of summer pastimes is the summer vacation. It helps us escape the pressures and stress of modern day life, allows us to travel and can provide good quality family time. You don’t even need to go big on a summer vacation for it to have health benefits – even a weekend away camping will help you to unwind and relax. Still, we wouldn’t advise against that two week break on a Caribbean Island, either!
Get a good nights sleep
It’s tempting to use the longer hours of sunlight to stay up later, but don’t be fooled. Try and maintain a regular bedtime so that your body gets into a habit of knowing when it is going to be shutting down for the night. That makes getting a good nights sleep easier and if you are sleeping well, you’ll be in a better position to make the most out of those glorious summer days.
