Summer is the perfect time to reflect on what you have accomplished so far and create new goals for the rest of the year. I find that it’s also an easier time to practice healthy living. You’ll be outside more and have easy access to fruits and veggies. Here are my top 10 tips for a healthier summer.
Healthy Living 101: 10 Things To Do for a Healthier Summer
1. Drink More Water
Many people are dehydrated, and they don’t even know it. When the weather is hotter, it’s even more important to stay hydrated. Consistently carry a bottle of water with you and make sure you’re sipping from it frequently. Whenever possible, choose water instead of sodas, caffeinated drinks or fruit juices. Don’t like plane water, add some fresh fruit.
2. Exercise More
Many people resolve every year to exercise more. Few stick with it. That’s because they’re too intense about it. Rather than planning to live at the gym, focus on just getting more exercise in general. Take a walk every day, or play a sport like tennis. The summer is a great time to refocus on your health and fitness goals.
3. Buy Organic and Non-GMO
You’d be surprised how our food is really grown these days. Overtime, the pesticides, chemicals, and hormones in conventional food can lead to a variety of health concerns, including cancer. This new year, be healthier and do your best to include more organic and non-GMO foods in your grocery budget.
4. Buy More Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Healthy eating begins with FRESH fruits and vegetables. Canned versions don’t compare to the real thing. Canned fruits and vegetables often are floating in sweetened juice and syrup, and have lost some of their nutrients. Ensure you’re eating the most beneficial produce you can by getting it fresh! If you need to, frozen is much better than canned.
5. Cook at Home More
Healthy living starts at home. It is so much easier to control what you eat. Restaurant food is typically is high in fat, sodium, and additives like MSG. If you’re going to have a healthier summer, you’ll need to eat out less and cook your own food more often. If you do eat out, choose restaurants with organic options and those that provide menus with a full list of ingredients. When in doubt, ask your server.
6. Make Homemade Cleaning Supplies
It’s horrible to think that making your home clean can actually make you sick, but that’s a very real possibility nowadays with chemical based cleaners. Keep your family safe and healthy by making homemade cleaning supplies! Here is great site with some ideas.
7. Make Homemade Beauty Products
Even many “natural” beauty products have several questionable ingredients. Have a healthier lifestyle by choosing to make your own beauty products instead! You’ll be able to ensure that the ingredients are as natural and healthy as possible.
8. Get More Sun and Fresh Air
Humans weren’t designed to be cooped up inside all the time. Take a break every once in a while and go outside! Fill your lungs with fresh air and let your skin soak in some natural vitamin D! I’m writing this post from the comfort of my back porch. Take every chance you can to get outside.
9. Get Away from the Computer and TV Screens
Too much screen time isn’t good for you. Nevermind the strain on your eyes, you also have consider that the more time you spend in front of a screen, the less time you’re spending doing something active. While you don’t have to replace TV time with jogging, do try to get away from the screen and do something that challenges your mind or body. Consider doing a craft, reading a book, or playing with your dog.
10. Relax More
While some stress is normal, large amounts of stress is very damaging. Not only does it make you feel bad in the moment, but it can contribute to major health issues over time. So if you want a live healthier, make sure to spend plenty of time relaxing!
Thanks for your Nice article Jenn…great tips. It is the best time of the year! I love traveling during summer. Also fishing is my another favorite thing that I love to do during summer.
Hi Jenn! I love summers! They’re a great time to start drinking fresh juices made at home to cool you down with all the fruits and veggies in season during this time. Or green smoothies are also a good fiber-rich option. They’re much better than the store-bought kind with lots of sugar in them.
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Great tips. The one that people under estimate the most is the power of drinking more water. It helps metabolism which is great for weight loss as well as other benefits.
Jenn, great list. The one I have the hardest time following is #3, buying organic. It’s a great suggestion, but inconvenient to get to the health food store. And when the regular grocery store has organic, it so often looks unappetizing. I feel guilty passing up organic, but if it spoils in a day or two it’s a waste of money. Then again, when I see fruit & veggies from California (I live in Connecticut) how fresh & ripe can they really be? Ugh…
If you allow me to ad a couple things to point 1 adding some Himalayen salt to the water is also very good for you .
To your topic # 2 25-30 minutes a day are often enough, consistency is the key better less consistent then to much only once in a while.
To topic #3 check out “tower Gardens” they are from “juice plus” we have two in our basement they work awesome and you don’t have to worry about pesticides or GMO at all because you know they are better then organic. NIce post by the way and very good tips.
Thanks a lot for sharing. I myself have been struggling with my unwanted weight all my life, even as a teen I was always a little on the chubby side. But as an adult woman things changed for worse as I gained all the more weight particularly after my first pregnancy. But in the past year I have lost almost 40 lbs, after a friend of mine shared a diet newsletter from a diet expert with me, therefore in an effort to give back here is a link to the free newsletter for women: http://bit.ly/1kxNYvM