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by Michelle Sutton-Kerchner
Add these healthy habits to your summer bucket list. They are quick and easy, with sunny payoffs …
1. Eat More Fruit
Summer is one of the easiest times to satisfy sugar cravings with the natural sweetness of fruit. Take advantage of the local abundance available. Locally grown produce is picked at the peak of ripeness, rather than harvested early to allow for travel. Also, fresh fruits and veggies start to lose nutrients within 24 hours of being picked. Locally grown options are more quickly available for consumption so they tend to be more nutritious.
Experiment with variety. This delivers an assortment of antioxidants and vitamins in fresh flavors. Slice them and pop into water, ice tea, and lemonade. (And, go ahead–squeeze a little citrus in your chardonnay.) Plus, a rainbow of fruit on plates and buffets makes its own summer decoration for a festive meal– one with delicious cleanup!
2. Refresh Your Workout
Warm, sunny weather helps loosen muscles and improve energy. Consider advancing your formal workout now. Give yourself small, obtainable challenges to achieve every week. Ask a personal trainer for tweaks to help you capitalize on summer’s positive energy.
For more ideas, see “Why It’s Time to Ditch Your Workout” at https://fitnessandwellnessnews.com/time-ditch-workout/.
3. Don’t Overbook
There are two scenarios before you: 1. an abundance of warm days and relaxing evenings continuing into the sunset and 2. reality.
The heart of summer is about 10 weeks long. It quickly fills with obligations and commitments. Determine which are really necessary and filter the rest.
Often, activities and events touted as fun simply for summer’s sake may not align with your preferences and interests. In other words, too much of a good thing can include sun, hot weather, daytrips, camps, and cookouts. Just because the season lends itself to certain activities does not mean you need to mindlessly commit. Sometimes a good book, a Netflix series, and some AC is what your summer weekend craves.
4. Plant a Garden
Caring for plants and flowers is known to be therapeutic. It helps us cultivate nurturing skills, which diverts the self-absorption common with stress and depression. It also instills confidence as our actions flourish into tangible successes. The repetitive movements involved in gardening chores help soothe anxiety and encourage mindful focus.
Your garden can be an elaborate plot of earth or several small pots. It is uniquely yours; no two are alike. Get dirty and clear your mind!
5. Get Your Sleep
Summer schedules tend to be more flexible than other times of the year, especially if you follow number 3 above. Try to maintain a healthy routine, including three main meals, a regular workout, and consistent sleep/wake times.
It is easy to lose track of time when the night sky is bright. Suddenly, it is bedtime and we find ourselves in the middle of a movie, walking the dog, or shopping. Be aware of your body’s natural cues for sleep and respect them, especially on vacation. Give your days the well-rested body the summer deserves. Occasional late nights around the backyard fire pit don’t count. Sometimes, you have to seize the moment.
6. Practice Self-Care
Do summer your way. Kick the “should haves” to the curb. Focus on what nourishes you. Fuel your body with the food, fitness, and love it deserves. You don’t have to take extravagant vacations, enroll your kids in the coolest day-camps, or host fabulous pool parties. Heck, you don’t even need a pool. You simply need a summer.
Sources
“Petal Power: Why Is Gardening So Good for Our Mental Health?” by Sarah Rayner at pyschologytoday.com.
Webmd.com
Image Credits
Local produce: pixabay.com/en/farming-produce-peaches-1200482
Coffee cup: pixabay.com/en/chair-coffee-cup-early-morning-1850612
Potted plants: pixabay.com/en/balcony-plants-balcony-still-life-3426042
Sleep: www.flickr.com/photos/planetchopstick/497736998
Sneakers: pixabay.com/en/shoes-sports-beach-marine-ocean-2297864
