Top 10 Tips for a Healthy Summer

Protect yourself from UV rays

Being out in the sun in the summer months is what the majority of us crave all year round – although the sun is great for your body in terms of Vitamin D absorption, lower blood pressure, stronger bones and mood improvement, staying out in the sun can unfortunately also bring negative health implications.

Always apply a sun cream lotion of at least SPF 30 in order to protect your skin from UV rays.

Keep active

With summer being ‘party season’ for many people, and  a relaxation period for others, it can be hard to get the motivation to keep active and hit the gym.

Of course, summer is here to be enjoyed and no one wants to be avoiding the sun by being indoors all the time, but whether you’re heading out for a weekly run or walking more than you would in the winter months, it’s so important to keep active throughout all seasons.

People lifting weights at the gym
Make sure you're drinking the right amount of water

With the UK heatwave and constant sunshine / hot weather, you’ll see a lot of headlines and articles telling people to drink a vast amount of water. Although drinking water is essential, especially in the heat and sun, it’s important to not over hydrate your body.

Dehydration can lead to serious complications, including blood pressure issues, increased heart rate, fainting or having seizures,

but many people overlook the health inferences that can come with drinking too much H2o. In some cases, drinking an extreme amount of water can cause the salt and sodium levels in your blood to drop – which can cause water intoxication.

Symptoms to look out for include over-heating, headaches, diarrhoea and or nausea / vomiting.

Avoid stress

Summer is a season to be enjoyed – don’t let unnecessary stress get in the way of you enjoying your time. Not only does stress have a negative effect on your mood, there are physical health side implications that can come with it. Some extreme cases of stress can result in strokes, heart attacks, diabetes, issues to your reproductive organs and more.

Scientifically proven ways to de-stress:

  • Go for a 10-minute walk

A walk will help you clear you hear and boost endorphins. Endorphins override the stress hormones in your body.

  • Practice breathing deeply 

To reduce your stress levels short-term, practice breathing deeply. These breathing exercises can help you relax, as they make your body feel like it does when it’s already in a relaxed state. 

Take a look at our blog post: the physical and mental health benefits of meditation,

  • Take a break from screens / social media

Excessive social media use has also been linked to increased stress levels.  Ensure you take breaks throughout the day and try to wean yourself off looking at a screen / spending too much time on social media.

  • Buy a plant!

Houseplants aren’t just great air purifiers - they can  help  you  relax. Studies have found that simply being around household  plants can induce your relaxation response and lower stress levels instantly.

Focus on getting quality sleep

Although sunlight increases your circadian rhythm and serotonin levels, which boosts melatonin production (sleep hormone), the summer months can sometimes provide humid environments for sleep, leaving some of us sleep-deprived and not on top form.

Woman sleeping
  • Open windows / invest in a fan

Open your windows to create a draft and cool down. You may even want to invest in a fan – be careful, though, you don’t want to leave this plugged in all night as it may pose as a fire risk.

  • Keep the sunlight out during the day

If you’re out of the house during the day, close your curtains or blinds – this will help keep the sunlight out and you’ll be surprised at how cool your house will be when you return home.

  • Cold water bottle

Forget hot water bottles, it’s all about cold water bottes during the summer months. Simply fill your bottle up with cold water and ice and place it at the bottom of your bed.

Be wiser when it comes to alcohol

You may see summer as a party and social season, where drinking alcohol is involved, which is completely understandable and is the case for many of us. But, as well as having a great time, it’s overly important to be even more careful when it comes to drinking.

This is because, when you drink alcohol in the heat and sun, it dehydrates you further – causing you to sweat and urinate more than normal. To avoid over-intoxication and extreme dehydration, try and adopt the drinking water in between alcoholic drinks approach – your body (and head the next day) will thank you for it…

Get private health insurance

Making sure you are safe in the sun is important, but it’s also essential to ensure you’re set when it comes to health problems that are out of your hands. Obtaining private health insurance is a great way to make sure that you will receive the best care and treatments -should you ever need it.

Here at The Health Insurance Specialists, we focus on finding you the best policy, for the right price. Fill in our online quote form to get a free, no obligation quote, or give our friendly team a call on 0808 10 18 999. 

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