It’s officially summer, and it’s a great time to feel healthy. Longer days, warm weather, and fresh produce all offer great options and motivation.
How do you make sure you feel your best when these warm months roll around?

11 Tips to Boost Your Health this Summer

1. Give Your Diet a Fresh Boost

There are many fruits and vegetables harvested in summer, and these fresh treats are a great boost to your body. For example, add more:

  • Vibrant Salad Greens, Broccoli, and Asparagus. Take asparagus for example. It is highly anti-inflammatory and may reduce the risk of many inflammatory diseases (1). Asparagus is also high in glutathione and antioxidants. It promotes heart health, fights cancers cells, and more. It’s fresh and ready-to-eat in the summer!
  • Fresh Herbs like Basil. Basil is a nutrition powerhouse that fights oxidative stress and inflammation. It also improves blood flow, had antibacterial properties, and is rich in nutrients. Add basil via pesto, toppings on burgers and Keto Pizza, and in delicious smoothies. Try this Basil Berry Lemon Smoothie for glowing skin.
  • Fresh Summer Berries, Lemons, and Limes. With a bit of portion control, berries can fit into a Keto Zone lifestyle, and they are ripe and flavorful in the summer. Berries can reduce blood pressure (2), deliver loads of antioxidants, fight cancer, and promote overall health. Lemons and limes are also great for you, adding vitamin C, antioxidants, and more.

2. Get Dirty — and Stress Less

Did you know that touching the earth and getting a bit dirty is a great way to reduce stress? Studies show that there are benefits beyond harvesting food when gardening.  In fact, community gardens are a great way to promote health through fresh vegetables, socializing, and de-stressing (3).

In addition to sharing a garden, you can also use a home container garden if you don’t have much room. Fresh herbs like rosemary, basil, mint, and more grow very well in containers.

3. Try New Keto Recipes

With longer days, you may have a bit more time to learn new recipes. Try these favorites for summer meals:

4. Avoid Heat Stroke and Overheating

Heatstroke is a condition that occurs when your body overheats, usually due to prolonged heat exposure or physical exertion in high temperatures (and/or humidity). It can be very serious.

But, you can reduce your risk by:

  • Wear loose-fitting, lightweight clothing to allow proper body cooling.
  • Use sunscreen with at least SPF 15, reapply, and cover-up to avoid sunburn.
  • Stay hydrated – this is your body’s best defense to stay cool.
  • If you take diuretics or other medications that affect your body’s hydration, be aware of the risk and take precautions.
  • Never sit, or leave anyone in, a parked car when it’s warm. The temperature can rise 20 deg F in just 10 minutes.
  • Avoid exercise in the heat of the day and opt for early morning or evening hours instead.

 

5. Still, Get Outside to Exercise When It’s Cool

Summer is a great time for outdoor activities and exercise. Not only does it promote heart health, but being outside can boost mental health and mood.

Studies have found that activity outside improves health markers and reduces cortisol, tension, fatigue, and depression. A recent study concluded that men and women over 66 years who exercised outside reported higher levels of total activity per week than inside-exercisers (4).

6. If You Do Get a Bit Bloated from Sun, Use Cucumbers and Celery to Naturally Diurese

Did you know that some foods help your body naturally, and gently, remove excess fluid and bloat? Two of these foods are celery and cucumber.

In fact, you can make a great anti-bloat smoothie from them: Keto Zon Detox Celery Smoothie

In addition, celery is a nutrition powerhouse with vitamins, minerals, and fiber (5), rich in immune-boosting vitamin C, a blood pressure reducer (6) and a cholesterol-binder (7).

7. Be Good to Your Eyes

When you’re outside more in the bright sunshine, your eyes can succumb to damage. Protect them with large sunglasses that block at least 99% UV rays. Good eye protection can reduce your risk of cataracts and skin damage around the eye.

8. Find Some Down-Time and Unplug

If you’re able to, get away from the hustle and bustle of a busy schedule, unwind, and unplug. This may mean a vacation, a long weekend camping, or an afternoon reading at the park.

When you take time to avoid screens and connect with nature, you can improve mood, mental health, and physical health.

9. Cool Down with Ice Water

As discussed in this post, ice-cold water provides benefits both inside and out. These include:

Ice-water In: When you drink ice water, your body actually has to warm it up, and it burns calories in the process.

Ice-water Out: When you use cold water in your shower (for even just a small amount of time), you can improve skin condition, energy, and metabolism through “beige” fat activation (8).

10. Protect Your Skin

Ultraviolet rays can damage and age skin. This summer, protect yours.

  • Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin daily, and reapply if you’re staying out in the direct sun.
  • Cover your face and head with a hat and sunglass.
  • Don’t be fooled by clouds; UV rays are still getting through.

11. Keep Pollen Out of Your House

This one can be difficult, but if you suffer from seasonal allergies, you can boost your health by taking a stand against pollen.

Some easy strategies include leaving shoes outside, keeping doors and windows closed, brushing off clothing before coming inside, sweeping regularly, changing sheets and pillowcases regularly, and showering before bed (so you don’t sleep with a hair covered in pollen).

You can find more tips to fight seasonal allergies here.

Bottom Line

Summer is a great time to feel and be healthy, happy, and energized. And, you can make this your healthiest summer yet with our 11 tips to boost your health.