February 22, 2019
I’m writing this post in the dead of winter, but I can never help but fantasize about the luxurious and care-free feelings that summer evokes. Reading outside, floating down the river, and watching the local wildlife are some of my favourite things to do when the warm weather hits. For many of us, the summer months can bring flexible schedules, vacations, and outdoor fun. Maybe you have kids that are out of school and you want to take them on a fun road trip to Disneyland, or maybe you’re a college student trying to get your bearings after a gruelling 8 months of academics.
Either way, summer definitely brings a change in routine. With a change in routine, we may be tempted to fall away from our good habits and replace them with bad habits. Use the following 4 tips to keep your habits going even while your mind is taking a well-deserved break!
4 Tips To Stay Healthy In The Summer
Take Advantage of the Summer Weather by Purchasing Fresh in-season Fruits and Vegetables
Depending on where you live, there is likely an abundance of fresh and locally grown organic produce in the warm months of the year (or maybe year-round if you’re lucky to live somewhere warm). Instead of bingeing on ‘normal’ summer BBQ fare like burgers and chips, offer to bring a bucket of fresh strawberries to a picnic.
Summer is also generally the cheapest time of year to buy fresh foods, so if you’ve been wanting to try out a new recipe, now is the time. Get creative by cooking outside on the grill or eating more raw foods.
Maintain Bedtimes and Wake-up Times
Whether it’s just you or your whole family, getting enough sleep is a key component to feeling and looking your best. With a change in routine, it can be tempting to stay up extra late and sleep longer than you need to. However, keeping up with a consistent sleep routine is cited by experts as one of the cornerstones to good health. Make it a priority especially during the dog days of summer when there’s more sunlight to enjoy!
Accept (and plan for) Indulgence
Chances are that there will be some type of reunion, backyard barbecue, vacation, birthday party or another occasion where everyone will seemingly be gorging on every treat you’ve ever wanted. It’s important to plan for these events, and affirm to yourself how you’re going to approach the situation. If you’re happy to abstain from sugar-laden treats, then that’s awesome! But if you know you’ll be tempted, decide on what you’re going to allow yourself to do beforehand so that you don’t feel deprived. Team up with an accountability buddy before the event if you need the encouragement.
Get Outside
You’re likely already doing this in some way, but getting outside is also a great way to introduce new healthy habits into your life. Take your yoga mat outside for some warm weather aerobics, take a walk in the park with a friend, or pull out that book you’ve been meaning to read all year and set up on a lawn chair in your yard.
We all know that we should be getting outside to enjoy the sun while it lasts, but maybe you’re stuck at work all day and don’t have the energy to do some big elaborate thing when you get home (hint: this was me last summer, which is why I’m extra committed to getting outside every single summer day of 2019!) Even if it’s only for a short time, some studies have shown that there is a health benefit to regular sun exposure, particularly in northern locations. Always be safe about your sun exposure and wear natural protective sunscreens.
Bonus tip: Take extra care to stay HYDRATED! The heat of summer means extra water loss, which may cause you to think that you’re hungry when you’re actually thirsty. Make sure to drink more water when spending time outside, and eat healthfully to keep your electrolytes up if it’s extra hot.
