Do you ever think about your summer nutrition? If you’re like most of us, probably not. We aren’t as likely to get colds, our schedules aren’t as regimented, and we have different activities with which to amuse ourselves. Here are a few tips that will help you stay healthy during the summer months. We all know how cheated we feel when we manage to catch a cold in August…so don’t let that happen to you!
Why You Might Get Sick in Summer
There are lots of factors about summertime life that, when combined, can compromise your health.
Less exercise: Unless you’re an active person who can’t keep still, hot summer weather probably keeps you inside more. Running from the car to the air conditioning might be the extent of your exercise regimen when Mother Nature sets the temperature at “blast-furnace.”
Junk food: Outdoor barbecues and beach parties tend to harbor a lot of junk food, processed foods and sugar. You may slack off on meal planning and be tempted to make food choices that sabotage your summer nutrition, just like during the holidays!
Lack of sleep: Long summer evenings mean you may stay out later and not get as much sleep. As you know, sleep is your body’s time to repair–physically and mentally! In addition, the artificial chilliness of air conditioning can throw a sensitive person’s system off balance, especially when you sleep near a fan or an AC vent.
Stress: Not that summertime is more stressful than any other time, but it has its moments, like the hustle of traveling on vacation. You know you’ve said it: “I need a vacation from my vacation!”
Travel: Recycled airplane air. Enough said.
Summer Nutrition Tips
Because your cells don’t take vacations, you must remember to bolster your immune system with the correct nutrition and supplementation all year long.
Eat with the seasons: Summertime brings with it a plethora of fresh fruits and vegetables. Make sure you enjoy this bounty of antioxidants and phytonutrients while you can. Remember, just because you can enjoy a mango in the dead of winter, doesn’t mean you should. But watermelon in summer is refreshing and light–just what your system craves. Your metabolism will function more efficiently if you eat with the seasons. Each season brings with it the proper nutrients to sustain good health. And summer also gives you an opportunity to serve healthy foods in different ways. Try iced green tea for a change or homemade fresh fruit sorbet!
Continue your supplements: Let’s face it, we tend to eat the same things, no matter what season it is. It’s just easier to do the shopping and meal planning that way. So, don’t get lazy about keeping up your supplement regimen. Because of all the reasons above–different schedule, vacation travel and shift in eating habits–maintaining your supplement intake becomes even more critical for your summer nutrition. If you are taking high-quality supplements, especially those suggested by your doctor, it’s best to keep up with them. You wouldn’t quit taking a prescription, would you?
Still got sick? Salt therapy to the rescue! We hope you found these tips helpful, but if you do manage to get sick (or have allergies or eczema), you can visit a salt room. Salt therapy relieves cold, flu and allergy symptoms by opening nasal passages, killing bacteria and facilitating sinus drainage. Eczema sufferers know that the summer heat brings on red, itchy flare-ups. Salt therapy fortifies the skin’s protective barrier, reduces inflammation and promotes healthy tissue regeneration.
The Salt Room Longwood serves all age groups in the Central Florida area with a safe, drug-free therapy proven to be effective for relieving symptoms of many chronic sinus, lung and skin conditions such as allergies, sinus infections, asthma and eczema. Salt therapy is safe! HEPA/carbon filters & UV light kill 99% of all airborne and surface bacteria and viruses.