Four Tips for a Healthy Summer
Summer is not only the perfect time for enjoying time with family and friends, but the warm weather also provides the perfect opportunity to bring your overall wellness back into focus!
Enjoy Outdoor Exercise
One of the best parts about summer is the ability to exercise and enjoy it with friends and family through outdoor activities! The beautiful Ozarks provides us with several opportunities to participate in healthy outdoor activities. Some options include Lake Springfield, Ozark Greenway trails, the Nature Center and many others. Activities include kayaking, paddle boards, hiking trails, and many other activities that can pass as both fun and exercise!
Hydrate, Hydrate, and Hydrate again!
Make sure to remember to hydrate when enjoying time in the heat! Staying hydrated allows your body to remain cool even in warm temperatures. Water can also promote your cardiovascular health, ensuring that while you’re participating in activities or exercise, you are not making it more difficult on your body than it needs to be. You may consider purchasing a reusable water bottle that keeps you on track with your hydration goals!
Plan Some Time for Yourself to Re-Energize
Our world is fast-paced, and it is important to take time for yourself! There are many benefits to taking care of yourself, both physical and mentally. Benefits include decreasing the risk of heart disease, reducing anxiety and depression, and increasing overall productivity in your personal and professional life. From scheduling a few extra hours for yourself each week, to taking that vacation you’ve been dreaming of, it is important to schedule “me-time” and summer is a great time to do it! Planning time for yourself lets you manage your stress and helps prevent it from controlling you. Ideas to manage your stress include journaling, meditating, or exercising. You can find many other ideas simply by visiting smartphone apps and websites focused on health and wellness.
Apps: Calm, Headspace, and Pacifica
For a variety of other apps: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/201801/the-best-happiness-apps-2018
Websites: MentalHealth.gov, Happify, and verywellmind.com
For a variety of other websites: https://www.similarweb.com/top-websites/category/health/mental-health
Introduce a Positive Habit into your Lifestyle
Summer is the perfect time to introduce a positive new habit into your lifestyle. You may try to attend cooking classes or go to a farmer’s market. If you’re worried about sticking with it, follow these tips:
- Set a specific goal (e.g., I will lose 15 pounds)
- Commit to 21 Days
- Inform a friend of your lifestyle change to make sure they hold you accountable
- Make your goal attainable to allow for hope when trying to achieve it
Sources:
https://www.webmd.com/women/features/8-summer-steps-for-healthy-living#1
https://www.apmhealth.com/educational-resources/healthy-living-tips-and-resources/2-uncategorised/200-top-10-summer-health-tips
https://www.bistromd.com/health-tips/6-ways-to-stay-healthy-this-summer
https://www.onemedical.com/blog/live-well/6-benefits-of-staying-hydrated/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/dont-worry-mom/201204/how-take-day-yourself
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/featured/18-tricks-to-make-new-habits-stick.html
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320557.php