Staying Healthy While Having Summer Fun

Staying Healthy While Having Summer Fun

The sunshine is here, the days are longer and that means that it’s time for summer fun to start, even if summer hasn’t officially arrived yet. A lot of people believe that you can’t have fun and live a healthy lifestyle, but that isn’t true at all! Here are some tips for staying healthy while having fun this summer.

Wear Sunscreen

When you’re spending time outside this summer, be sure to wear sunscreen. Choose some with at least SPF-15 and make sure that it provides both UVA and UVB protection. It’s also a good idea to wear a hat and sunglasses in order to protect yourself.

This might sound like a hassle, but taking a few precautions will allow you to spend more time outdoors without worrying about sun damage.

Be Careful Around Water

This summer, you might be looking to have some fun at the beach or the pool. Swimming is great exercise and an excellent way to spend a summer day. However, you’ll need to practice water safety. Avoid alcohol when around water (swimming, boating, etc.) and prepare for an emergency by having life-saving equipment nearby.

Pay special attention to young children. A small child can drown in even a small amount of water in only a few seconds. Always make sure children are supervised around water.

Drink Water

It’s very important that you stay hydrated during the warm summer months. Carry a bottle of water with you and drink from it frequently. Be sure to drink water before, during and after physical activity.

Exercise Outdoors

Exercising outside allows you to get the best of both worlds. You can enjoy the summer sunshine and still get some physical activity. Just make sure that you dress for the weather and that you stay hydrated.

Healthy BBQ Tips

There’s nothing quite like a summer barbecue. Here are a few tips for having a safe cookout:

• Add some vegetables. It doesn’t have to be all about meat. Bell peppers, eggplant, corn, zucchini, asparagus and many other vegetables go great on the grill. Try them on skewers for a delightful meal!
• Use marinades instead of sauces. Many commercial barbecue sauces contain a lot of sugar and salt.
• Eat more fish. Instead of red meat, try grilling some fish, which is filled with heart-healthy omega-3 fats.
• Be sure to always keep foods at safe temperatures and do not use the same utensils and plates for cooked meat as you used for raw meat.

Have a great time!