Rest, Refuel, and Repeat! Advice for Summer Wellness
Summer means outdoor fun, family gatherings, and vacation. Summer is also an excellent time to catch up on your sleep and relaxation, eat more fruits and vegetables, stay hydrated and take care of your skin by using sunscreen every day. Our Founder & CEO Julia Stewart and our team of physicians and wellness experts share their tips for a healthy summer season.
1. Prioritize Rest and Relaxation
Longer days mean more opportunities to reduce stress and increase your physical wellbeing through fitness and social activities. Napping can also play a big part in your daily wellness all year-‘round. Our sleep expert and AMEC member, Sarah Moe, recommends taking a 25-minute nap between the hours of 1 PM and 4 PM, to relax and recharge. A nap is very beneficial in boosting memory, enhancing job performance, elevating mood, and making one feel more alert and less stressed.
Traveling? No problem! Take your nap ritual on the road to help manage the effects of sleep disruptions such as jetlag. Julia is a firm believer in maintaining a healthy lifestyle in spite of her busy work schedule. She never leaves home without a sleep mask so she can easily fall asleep while traveling.
2. Play, Protect, and Hydrate
The benefits of spending time outdoors are undeniable and protecting your skin from the summer sun is essential. Virginie Descamps, Alurx Chief Marketing Officer, recommends using sunscreen that contains zinc as the main active ingredient as these are the safest and most effective. Which sunscreens can we trust? Before buying, review product guides researched by independent panels such as EWG: https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/. Virginie also advises applying sunscreen before going outdoors as part of your morning skincare routine, even if you are just driving to work or planing a quick walk to the coffee shop.
3. Enjoy Summer Fruits and Vegetables
BBQ season isn’t all about burgers and hot dogs. A trip to your local farmers’ market will give you a variety of healthy and delicious seasonal fruits and vegetables to choose from. LeeAnn Weintraub, a registered dietitian nutritionist and AMEC Member, dedicates herself to educating and motivating individuals and families towards achieving their health and wellness goals. Increasing your daily intake of fruits and vegetables is easier in the summer. The benefit of healthy food choices is well documented and extends to other areas of wellness (1). Start small with Meatless Mondays or Soup & Salad Suppers and feel the difference in your energy levels and sleep quality.
Fruits and vegetables also keep us hydrated throughout the day. For our bodies to function optimally we need to stay hydrated by drinking enough liquids throughout the day. It is recommended that we drink at least 6-8 glasses of water a day. Get creative in maintaining hydration by adding some flavor such as lemon or lime slices, cucumber, a squeeze orange, or a splash of juice.
So grab your water bottle, a piece of fruit, your favorite sunscreen, and get outdoors this summer. For daily advice from our experts on sleep, nutrition and stress management, download the Alurx Wellness App.
Sources:
(1) Myles, Ian A. “Fast Food Fever: Reviewing the Impacts of the Western Diet on Immunity.” Nutrition Journal 13 (June 17, 2014): 61. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-13-61