How to Stay Cool and Healthy Through the Summer
By Genevieve Cunningham
Summer is hot. Even when you live somewhere with a mild climate, there's something about summer that is just harder than any other time of year. It can be really hard to stay both healthy and cool. Of course, maintaining your health is just as important -- if not slightly more important -- in the summer. Luckily, staying healthy and cool can be easy; it can fit right into your normal routine without any effort at all! If you're looking to keep your health intact throughout the season, take a look at these tips to help you out.
Plan Workouts Appropriately
If it's hot outside, you shouldn't be planning workouts for the middle of the day. You'll be hot and exhausted and fighting the weather. Plan your workouts for the cooler parts of the day -- namely the early morning or evening. This allows you to still fit your workout into your daily routine, but without risking your health to the elements of the summer heat.
Stay Hydrated
Now more than ever, you should think about staying hydrated. Hydration is key all the time, not just in the summer. But when it's exceptionally hot out, you're more likely to become overheated and dehydrated. Carry a water bottle with you at all times. Trade your normal flavored drinks for water as much as possible. Eat foods that are high in water content. The more you hydrate your body, the better you'll feel, the safer you'll be, and the easier it will be to continue your regular workouts.
Set Achievable Goals
Summer may not be the time to begin a record-breaking running routine. Instead, maybe you should aim for a light jog at the day's end. It might not be the time to set an intense workout goal of any kind. Instead, focus on getting movement however you can. The summer, with its heat and potential for harm, might be a better time to set extremely realistic goals -- goals that can be met without risk to your health. Setting achievable goals can help you find motivation to keep moving without worrying whether you're doing too much in the midst of summer heat.
Summer is a great time of year. It's time for rest, vacations, friendly get-togethers, and it's also a great time to focus on your health. But if you're not cautious and proactive about the heat, you could be doing yourself more harm than good. Use these tips to maintain your health through the summer, and keep yourself health and safe all season long.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Anaheim, Calif.