Everyone knows it’s easy to let a healthy lifestyle slip in the summer. Afternoons spent sunbathing, drinking bottomless Pimm’s and enjoying countless barbecues can take its toll on our bodies and of course, our overall health and wellbeing. Here are our top tips to stay healthy during the summer months*
Make the most of the warmer weather and sunshine and get outside to exercise. You could go on a hike, a cycle, or even play garden games with the kids. The summer is the perfect time to get your daily exercise in the great outdoors, rather than a hot and stuffy gym. You can make exercise fun for all the family and use it as quality bonding time.
Look after your eyes. Be sure to wear protective eyewear in the summer, choose sunglasses that block at least 99% of ultraviolet A and B rays. Not just that, sunglasses can prevent wrinkles around the eyes too. Remember to also wear protective eyewear if you’re doing activities like mowing the lawn, or playing certain sports (you can buy glasses that are sport-specific).
Always apply suncream. Choose a lotion of at least SPF 30 to protect your skin from harmful UV rays. Don’t sit in the sun in peak hours (10am to 4pm) and reapply suncream every two to three hours (or more frequently if you’re swimming).
Stay hydrated! During the hot summer months, your body can be left dehydrated by heat and sweat. A lack of water is harmful to your body and it can even make you crave food when you’re not actually hungry. Always aim for eight to nine glasses of water a day. There are lots of healthy alternatives too, like green tea or coconut water. Just be aware of seemingly ‘healthy’ smoothies as they can often be packed with sugar, making them extremely calorific.
Protect your locks. Sun damage, heat and chlorine can takes its toll on our hair and leave if feeling limp and looking dull and damaged. If you’re going to swim a lot during the summer, pick up an anti-chlorine shampoo and conditioner. Try also to minimise the use of hairdryers and straighteners. Instead, towel dry your hair and apply a mousse or salt spray for beachy summer waves.
We hope you have a fabulously fun and healthy summer!