10 Simple & Refreshing Healthy Summer Habits To Adopt Right Away
With the arrival of summer, the warm sun rays and longer days beckon us to step outside and embrace the season's beauty.
As we bid farewell to the colder months, it's the perfect time to cultivate healthy habits that will make us feel great and enhance our overall well-being.
Summer offers a unique opportunity to engage in activities that support a healthier lifestyle, both physically and mentally.
So, let's dive into this blog post and discover some wonderful healthy summer habits that will rejuvenate our bodies, minds, and spirits!
How To Keep Yourself Healthy and Happy In Summer? | 10 Healthy Summer Habits
Stay Hydrated
Hydration is more than just drinking water! It’s also necessary to maintain fluid levels and balance electrolytes.
In addition to water, be sure to consume hydrating beverages such as coconut water, herbal infusions, or diluted fruit juices. You can also try an electrolyte drink like Liquid IV or Hydralyte if needed for an extra boost after exercising.
Consume water-rich foods such as melons, celery, oranges, pineapple, cucumbers, berries, and apples.
Keep an eye out for indicators of dehydration such as thirst, dry mouth, lethargy, and dark urine in order to stay fit this summer.
Wear Sunscreen
We’ve all heard this one before, but this time I invite you to take it seriously! Remember to grab that sunscreen and bring it with you everywhere this summer to protect your skin - your body’s largest organ. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that offers UVA and UVB protection. Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher for adequate protection.
Sunscreen should be applied liberally to all exposed skin, especially the face, neck, ears, and hands.
Don't forget to apply sunscreen to sometimes overlooked places, such as the tops of your feet and the back of your neck.
If you find the cream sunscreens irritating, make sure to try a spray sunscreen that works for you.
Consider wearing protective clothing, caps, and sunglasses to protect yourself from the sun. Don’t forget to reapply every few hours!
Embrace the Outdoors
Outdoor activities provide a change of scenery and can bring additional benefits over indoor training - not to mention the massive boost it can have on your mental and emotional health to spend more time outside.
Sunlight exposure promotes vitamin D production, which is necessary for bone health, mood and healthy hormones. Spending time in nature and getting fresh air can help with mood, stress management, and relaxation, too.
When walking, hiking or running, the different topography and natural features of new locations can stimulate different muscle groups while also challenging balance and coordination.
In order to avoid overheating, consider cooler times of the day, such as early morning or late afternoon/evening.
Consume Fresh Fruits & Vegetables
The summer is an amazing time to take advantage of the seasonal produce available!
Berries, peaches, melons, tomatoes, bell peppers, and leafy greens are all good sources of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and fiber - and if you’re looking for healthy summer habits to adopt this summer, adding fruits and vegetables to your routine should be the best bet.
Try visiting local farmer’s markets or joining a community-supported agriculture (CSA) program to get fresh and locally grown produce to improve your relationship with food.
Try some new salad recipes or grilling more veggies - incorporating new recipes can really make it more exciting to eat these nutritious foods! Check out my plant-based cookbook for easy and delicious ideas.
Maintain An Active Lifestyle
What’s your relationship with exercise like? Do you feel like you’re able to practice joyful movement? Moving and exercising outdoors can be a great way to build a more positive relationship with exercise and have a change of pace from your usual workout routine.
Regular exercise helps with so many factors: it improves cardiovascular health, boosts your mood thanks to those post-workout endorphins, and lowers the risk of chronic diseases.
Try new hobbies like paddleboarding, outdoor yoga sessions, or hiking trails in your neighborhood to mix up your workouts. You can also go for a bike ride or walk somewhere new - or maybe even take up roller-blading! Other outdoor sports like tennis, soccer, volleyball, and newly popular pickleball could be a great choice for you to have fun with movement again.
Joining community sports leagues or fitness clubs can help you make physical activity a social experience and keep you engaged.
And if you want to create healthy habits for the rest of your life, health coaching and nutrition counseling can do wonders for you!
Take Up Swimming
Swimming is a fantastic complement to your summer schedule. Swimming is not only a fun way to stay active in summer, but it also has various health benefits.
It's a full-body workout that works several muscle groups, increasing strength, endurance, and flexibility. Swimming is a low-impact workout appropriate for people with joint problems or injuries.
It improves cardiovascular health, expands lung capacity, and relaxes the mind, lowering stress and improving overall mental well-being.
Prioritize safety by using proper swimming practices, and consider taking swimming lessons if necessary to improve your abilities and confidence in the water.
Prioritize Food Hygiene & Safety
Summer is the time for being outside: backyard dinners, picnics in the park, barbecues, camping, and more! But with all that fun, make sure you’re taking care of the food you’re eating, too.
Maintain proper food hygiene and safety by keeping perishable foods refrigerated with ice packs or in coolers when preparing and handling food during outdoor events or picnics. You can keep raw and cooked foods separate to avoid cross-contamination.
Use a food thermometer to guarantee that meats and other perishable goods are cooked to the right internal temperature.
Before eating or cooking fruits and vegetables, carefully wash them. For rapid clean-ups, keep hand sanitizers or wet wipes on hand. Food poisoning is not the way I want you to spend any of your time this summer!
Take Breaks And Rest In The Shade
Being outside in the summer can be so fun - but high temperatures can strain the body, resulting in weariness and overheating.
When spending time outside, take frequent rests in the shade to rest, cool down, and reduce your body temperature. Use umbrellas or canopies to provide shade, or seek shelter in covered areas.
Apply the "shadow rule": if your shadow is shorter than you are, it's a good sign that the sun is near its zenith and a break in the shade is in order.
Keep Your Mental Health In Mind
The summer might bring its own set of stressors, such as travel plans, family reunions, work-related demands, or taking care of your kids now that they’re on summer break.
Make self-care and stress-management strategies a priority - even if it’s just a few minutes a day. This could include mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, and journaling as a way to keep yourself grounded and calm in the summer.
Take time to engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation, such as reading a book, participating in hobbies, or spending time in nature. Make sure you’re taking time to be social and fill up your cup, too.
Get Lots Of Sleep
Make your bedroom a sleep-friendly atmosphere by keeping it cold, dark, and quiet. In order to improve sleep quality, consider utilizing fans, blackout curtains, or white noise machines.
Set a consistent sleep schedule by going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Avoid engaging in stimulating activities, using devices, and eating large meals close to bedtime.
Prioritize relaxation tactics such as reading, listening to soothing music, or taking a warm bath before going to bed.
Over To You, Friend!
As we wrap up this blog post, let's take a moment to appreciate the transformative power of healthy summer habits. By embracing these practices, you have the chance to nourish your body, energize your mind, and foster a deep sense of well-being.
From staying hydrated and eating nutritious summer foods to engaging in outdoor activities and nurturing your mental health, the possibilities for a vibrant summer are endless! When you feel more energized in your skin, you’re able to be more calm, present, and mindful with other areas of your life. This affects how you show up for your family, your loved ones, your work, and your personal hobbies.
Remember, it's not about striving for perfection but rather making small, sustainable changes that will have a lasting impact.
So, let this summer be a season of self-care, growth, and exploration.
Step outside, soak up the sunshine and embrace the beauty of this wonderful time of year. Your body, mind, and spirit will thank you for it!
Be sure to follow along with me on Instagram at @passionforplants as I share my habits for a vibrant and happy summer with you on a daily basis.