Are You Set Up for a Healthy Summer?
By Genevieve Cunningham
Summer can be a lot of fun. It's the season of being carefree. Summer is when we plan trips, hang out with friends, and maybe even catch up on sleep. It's a great time of year. But if you're not feeling your best -- or feeling generally unhealthy -- summer isn't as much fun as it could be. In fact, in an unhealthy state, summer can feel like a beating. So what should we be doing to prepare for summer? It's easy! If you want to set yourself up for a fun and healthy summer, take a look at these tips to start now.
Are You Exercising?
Movement is a crucial part of summer -- and life in general! We tend to be more active than ever in the summer months. We do more going out, more days in the swimming pool, more activity as a whole. If you're not used to moving, all of this activity can be really hard on you. Help yourself out by starting an exercise routine right now. Go for walks or start swimming or join an aerobics class. Do whatever will get you up and active. When the thick of summer arrives, you'll be ready to move and able to enjoy every minute.
Are You Eating Fresh Foods?
When you think of summer, you probably picture foods like salad and fruit. And that's for good reason! Summer is a great time to eat fresh, healthy, delicious food. It can help you lose weight, and it also helps you feel lighter and more mobile. But you don't have to wait until the middle of summer. You can start a healthier diet right now. Upgrade your menu, and you may be feeling your best before the biggest summer plans arrive.
Are You Deliberately Lowering Stress?
This is something you should be doing year-round. Stress can be so bad for your overall mental and physical health. But for summer, stress is not only bad for health -- but it can also ruin all the fun! If you want to keep stress levels low, you have to do it on purpose. When you leave work, leave it there. If your schedule is too busy, eliminate the unnecessary. And then do things every day that help lower stress. Make sure you exercise a little bit. Engage yourself in a hobby. Take a hot shower and listen to some calming music. Do whatever you need to do to lower stress. At the end of the day, getting rid of excessive stress is one of the best things you can do for your overall well-being.
Summer is a great time to refocus, replenish yourself, and improve your basic health. And if we push to improve health in summer, we'll have better health all year long. Use these tips to start your health journey, and you'll feel better than ever this summer and beyond.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Nashua, N.H.