With Summer just around the corner, it is important to keep the health of you and your family top of mind. Whether you are staying home all summer or looking to take a trip, knowing how to create and maintain some healthy habits is crucial. Here are some ways to keep you and your loved ones happy and healthy this summer.
Stay hydrated
With the summer heat building up during these longer days, it is important to keep yourself hydrated. Suffering from dehydration can lead to health problems like headaches, fainting, and even heat stroke. Keeping a reusable water bottle with you at all times can ensure you are drinking enough water daily. If you have children that struggle with picky eating habits and who hate the taste of plain water, consider infusing it with some of their favorite fruits. Using strawberries or lemons can give the water a fresh taste and encourage them to drink more!
Keep protected
Having fun in the sun is a great way to stay active and curate some healthy habits. Going to the beach, taking a hike, or any outdoor activity is great for getting the right amount of exercise. When you are outdoors it is incredibly important to keep yourself protected from the sun. Having a strong and dependable sunscreen will keep you and your family safe from the dangers of sun exposure. Too much sun can lead to conditions like sunburn, sun poisoning, and sunstroke. While wearing accessories like hats can also help create a barrier between you and the sun, you should be vigilant with applying and reapplying sunscreen.
Be prepared
With summer being the perfect time for spontaneity, it is essential to have a go-bag prepped in advance with the little things you might normally forget on a trip. Having this bag ready will help you cover your bases and decrease the stress of forgetting important items on your journey. Include the things you and your family will most certainly need, like toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap—any and all of your basic hygiene items are generally necessities for a trip.
Also be sure to include a stocked first aid kit that makes sense for you and your family’s needs. If anyone suffers from severe or life threatening allergies, you should pack an EpiPen to be safe. Similarly, if you or a loved one has vision issues you should make sure you include prescription contacts in the kit. Having a fresh pair of contacts available can save you if you lose or break your glasses and can’t immediately replace them. Being prepared for any scenario will help keep you and your family safe this summer wherever you are.
Practice self-care
Taking care of your health is more than taking care of just your physical health; your mental health is a large component of your overall wellness. After all of the changes 2020 brought, the world opening up can cause a great deal of anxiety for those who haven’t experienced the hustle of crowds in a long time. Make sure you make time to practice self-care in whatever way you need to keep your mental health in check. This could include taking walks alone, picking up a journal, or spending time meditating. Talking as a family about how to combat any anxieties you may be facing can be a great way to keep the lines of communication open about mental health as well.
Keeping up with healthy habits is a great way to maintain a positive lifestyle this summer. As a family, it is important to work together and help each other stay as happy and healthy as possible.
