12 Tips to Take Care of You & Beat the Summer Heat

I love summer! It is my favorite time of the year! I love the heat, the sunshine; the smell of fresh cut grass, summer rain. I love the beautiful sunsets, the sunrises and early morning walks. I love the fresh vegetables and beautiful flowers I get from our Local CSA (Community Supported Agricultural) Farm – Handance Farm. I love gatherings with friends and family, beach trips, lake trips and just sitting on the porch with a fresh glass of water or wine taking in the air and beauty of summer, and much more.

Summer brings activities that we often don't do throughout the year: Activities like swimming, boating, and other outdoor fun. These are fun and great. With the extra heat, there are certain precautions to be made.

Here are some of my favorite summer tips to support you in keeping healthy and well.

1) Eat lots of fresh vegetables. These provide essential minerals and vitamins from nature that your body needs. If possible, buy fresh vegetables them from your local farmer. These are fresher, picked at peak times which ensure that energy and nutrients are higher than those that are shipped in and bought at a grocery store. And you also are helping to support local jobs in your area when you do so.

2) Make sure to eat protein with your vegetables to keep your brain and muscle performance at its best. And eat lighter at night so you rest more easily.

3) When exercising: do so early morning or late evening when the air is cooler.

4) Drink plenty of water. Keep a plastic bottle of water in the freezer. Grab one when you're ready to go outside. As the ice melts you'll have a supply of cold water with you.

5) Stay cool to avoid overheating. Ways that help keep the body cool, as well as providing stamina and endurance include:

•      Add Lemon, Mint Leaves, or Cucumber Slices to water
•      Replace Coffee with Lemon Grass Ice Tea, Mint Tea, and Green Tea. These provide essential nutrients needed for summer that coffee does not.

6) Take Care of YOU! Recognize your own needs to relax physically, mentally and emotionally. Try..

• Reading a good book
• Taking time to be still
• Enjoy the beauty around you

7) Celebrate! July is the month we celebrate Independence Day in the USA. Take time to Celebrate those things that represent Freedom or Independence to you personally all month long.

8) Practice Safety First – Don't forget to practice safety during celebrations, sunscreen and being aware of active kids, especially during the hot days or around the pool. 

9) Be mindful of your pets – They need to stay cool too.

• Make sure they have access to plenty of water to drink and shade available to them that does not obstruct air flow
• Never leave your pets in a parked car. The temperature inside of vehicles rise very quickly to dangerous levels within minutes
• Watch for signs of heatstroke with your pet (Heavy panting or breathing, glazed eyes, rapid heartbeat, excessive thirst, dizziness, etc) and have a plan of action to treat them and get them to the vet quickly if needed

10) Have Fun! Bring Out Your Inner Child! Take advantage of the summer as a reason to play! Create your own waterslide or have a fun water "fight" outside (make sure the hose is on soft rather than hard flow to keep from hurting anyone)

11) Wear loose fitting Cotton clothing. These keep you cooler than synthetics.

12) Be aware of those with unique needs. Pay special attention to the elderly, infants, children and  anyone with chronic illness as they tend to dehydrate more easily. 

Ultimately HAVE FUN and BE SAFE!

The summer is the perfect time to embrace a renewed excitement and playfulness. How are you honoring yourself, your joy, and your health this summer?

If you find yourself “wishing” that some of these things could be a bigger part of your life, give me a call and let’s have a chat about how that can become a reality. Why not allow yourself to embrace a deeper level of joy, and greater health starting right now?

YES. You Matter. Own Your Value. HAVE FUN! Be fully alive and In Touch In Life.

Teresa Lea, BA NCLMBT # 1804

Tags: health tips, nutrition, self-care, summer