7 Healthy Summer Habits You Would Love to Practice
Jessica Fender
Summer is just about the best time of the year when it comes to the plethora of things you can do outside. Despite that, many of us spend time indoors instead and try to unwind from work or family-related obligations.
Instead of letting loose, you can pick up some easy-to-follow, healthy habits which will make you enjoy your summer a lot more. Here’s what you can do to improve your mental and physical health during long summer days.
1. Make the Most of Seasonal Fruits and Vegetables
Depending on where you live, you will undoubtedly have access to an assortment of seasonal fruits and vegetables. Try to eat as little processed food as possible during summer and choose to eat fresh stuff instead. Some things you could try integrating into your diet include watermelons, mangos, papayas, strawberries, and pineapples.
On the vegetable side of the spectrum, we have tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and fresh green salads galore. You can eat these raw, make energy or cereal bowls, or drink them as smoothies and shakes. Eating fruits and veggies during summer will boost your immunity and quickly become a healthy habit you will happily go back to.
2. Pick Up a Morning Workout Routine
A healthy morning routine should always include a simple workout. Whether you prefer to work out inside or outdoors, take 20-30 minutes to exercise when you wake up. According to WHO, more than 80% of the world’s adolescent population is physically inactive, leading to a 20-30% increased risk of death due to poor health.
Since we tend to rest a lot more during summer, why not use the opportunity to turn the tides in your favor? Choose your favorite workout routine, and don’t start the day without going through with it.
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3. Spend as Much Time Outdoors as Possible
Everyone loves summer for one simple reason – it’s very appealing to spend time outdoors. Even if you need a fan or an icepack to keep you cool, being outside during summer is an amazing way to spend your time. You can get a small yard pool, work on DIY projects outdoors, and travel in and out of the country.
If you have kids, your catalog of activities gets even bigger as they will undoubtedly want to be outside on warm sunny days. You can even organize outdoor movie nights and take up movie review writing to pass the time and flex your creative muscles. Being in the sun will give you ample amounts of vitamin D and cause you to release serotonin thanks to the positive effects of sunlight. Don’t stay cooped up inside during summer and take the opportunity to make up for sunlight lost during other seasons.
4. Pick Up a Book and Read It Outside
Reading has a wide range of benefits beyond providing you with countless hours of entertainment. You can pick up summer reading and spend time outdoors instead of looking at the TV or computer screen.
Likewise, you can mix different genres and types of reading you do, shifting from guidebooks for personal development to novels daily. Most importantly, reading will help you spend a lot of time outdoors, be it in a park, your backyard, porch, or balcony.
5. Bike Whenever You Can Instead of Driving
Riding a bicycle throughout summer is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Whether you need to get groceries, go to work or visit a friend, grab your bike instead of driving or commuting. Bicycles are amazing at keeping us active, and they will help you stay in shape any time you ride one.
If you can’t bike to work, you can still take your bike around the block in the morning or evening to avoid the summer heat. Be sure to wear protective gear such as a helmet and signal lights to stay safe on the road.
6. Infuse Sparkling Water Instead of Drinking Soft Drinks
It’s very easy to fall into the trap of drinking soft drinks throughout the summer without realizing what you’ve done. There is a healthier alternative in the form of infused sparkling water. All you need is the aforementioned sparkling water and some fresh fruits and vegetables to get started.
You can create amazing combinations of sweet and sour drinks to enjoy during hot summer days in no time at all. The best thing about infused sparkling water is that it is much healthier than drinks like Coca-Cola, and you can mix and match flavors. Again, if you have kids, they will adore this type of drink and get into the healthy habit of preferring it over canned soft drinks.
7. Use Weekends to Visit Parks and Nature Resorts
Whether you work in an office or as a gig worker, you should always take the time to get out of the house and relax. Use your summer weekends productively and look up local nature resorts, mountains, and parks to visit.
Pack a picnic bag, grab a book, some headphones and head out. This will help you unwind from a long week of work and help you find inner peace unlike anything else. It is a very healthy habit to get into instead of staying at home during the weekend, so think about which places you can check out.
Making the Most of Healthy Summertime Habits (Conclusion)
Every summer is an opportunity to take up amazing new habits and hobbies. Don’t wait for a chance to try out that new workout you saw online or a new raw salad recipe you found – grab it. Getting into a routine of doing something new before may be difficult at first, but your mind and body will thank you for it. Become your better self by picking up some of these healthy habits this summer.
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Author’s bio. Jessica Fender is a professional writer and educational blogger. Jessica enjoys sharing her ideas to make writing and learning fun.
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