Dr. Yolanda Fisher
Summer health
During the winter, our health focus tends to be around staying warm, getting enough vitamin C and D, eating hearty food and trying to stay clear of the coughs, colds, sniffs and snuffles and all other lurking illnesses.
During the summer, it is easier to feel and stay healthy.
We tend to get outside more, increase our exercise and we crave the lighter, leafier meal options.
Nevertheless, health during the summer is just as important- if not more so, to ensure we are promoting health that can sustain us later into the year.
Here are my top tips to promote health during the summer.
Ensure you are drinking enough water.
A few signs you aren’t drinking enough water include headaches, increased tiredness or always feeling cold, achy and weak muscles, increased hunger, constipation and bloating.
As a basic rule, adult women should consume 2.1L and men 2.6L per day.
Pregnant women require 750-1000ml more per day than an average adult female. You may also require more/less depending on age, diet, physical activity, rate of perspiration and heat.
Listen to your cravings (the good kind).
This goes all year around, but during the summer where there is a greater abundance of fresh and locally sourced produce. So make the most of it.
I don’t know about you, but as soon as the warmer weather starts to make an appearance, I find myself craving lots of veggies and fruit of all different varieties. Some days it may be beets, some days kale, some days its asparagus and artichokes, and others it may be mangoes. Our body craves what our body needs, so listen to it (and no chocolate and lollies don’t count).
Protect yourself from the sun.
Even on days where it doesn’t appear hot, or overly sunny, the rays from the sun are still incredibly strong and can cause harm.
Slip, Slop, Slap isn’t just for the kids so always wear a good quality sun screen, cover up and stay out of the direct sun during the middle of the day.
Maintain a good sleep rhythm.
In the summer, with the longer daylight hours and our energy naturally higher, it is easy to stay up longer and later until it is dark. A routine bed time, can have an amazing influence upon how awake and energised we feel. So, get into the habit of going to bed at a similar time each night, even if there is still some light in the sky and waking at a similar time each morning.
Obviously the 'silly season' throws a spanner in the works here with get togethers and christmas parties, but all the more reason to create a good routine.
You’ll thank me later.
Make the most of what makes you happy.
You have all heard me drum on about the effects of our mental state upon our general health, but it is so important. So I will say it again!
Do what makes you happy! Prioritise time for the things in life that ‘fill your cup’- even if its five minutes.
Spend time outside, make the most of this stunning place we are fortunate to call home, go to that yoga class, spend an extra few minutes in the surf, have that extra glass of bubbles at Christmas, and importantly enjoy the company of family and friends around you.
If you have any extra tips, I’d love to hear them.
Yolli x