Slide into Summer Health

Summer is fast approaching, and it is a time for relaxation and exposure to new things like hotter temperatures, more sunshine, traveling, outdoor living, and swimming. Our bodies and health need to adjust to these things and protect from some elements like UV rays. Here are a few quick tips to help you support your health all summer long.

Keep hydrated

Summer heat can quickly rob your body of hydration – it is essential to re-hydrate with lots of water (at least 8 cups) or one of these options if water bores you:

• Water with lemon or lime can help to detox your body
• Coconut water is not only a delicious alternative to water but is the most hydrating juice there is
• Hydrating fruits and vegetables include cantaloupes, watermelon, oranges, cucumbers, celery, and lettuce.

Summer hair tips

The summer can be tough on our hair. Here are a few tips to keep it healthy.

Avoid sun damage to your hair

UVA and UVB rays from the sun can cause damage to your hair after prolonged sun exposure.  Your hair cuticle or the outside cover of a strand of hair – is the part most affected.  According to dermatologist Wilma Bergfeld, MD, “Sun damage can come in discoloration, dry and brittle strands, broken or split ends, thinning and frizziness.”

Cover your hair

The easiest way to protect your hair is to wear a hat or head covering like a scarf to protect your locks from direct sunlight, which can be damaging.  Your hair can become dry and brittle from the sunlight.

Swimming and your hair

The chlorine in the pool can intensify the damage the sun does.  Wearing a swim cap can help to keep you protected.

Avoid oily hair

When it is hot, your body produces sweat, and when you sweat on your head – it causes oily roots.  Over time, this can lead to oil build-up and inflammation.  There are a few ways to get rid of oily hair, including apple cider vinegar, dry shampoo, coconut oil, and witch hazel.

Avoid heat rash

Sometimes the heat can get the best of us as sweat ducts get blocked and cause discomfort and itching, known as heat rash. However, this pink or red rash is common in babies and can occur in adults, especially when hot and humid.

What happens if you find yourself with a heat rash? Here are some simple steps to take:

• The first step is removing clothing and moving to a cool area.
• Let skin air-dry instead of using towels which can irritate the skin even further.
• Also, avoid using any lotion or ointment on the rash.

Boost your mood with earthing

What is earthing, you ask? Spending so much of our time indoors disconnects us from the earth. While our ancestors understood the importance of feeling the dirt between their toes and sleeping under a full moon, we have forgotten the importance of nature to our well-being. No, seriously, it is known as nature therapy, but it has been proven that we as humans are happier over thousands of years.

Earthing is the physical connection of our body to the earth; this can be in the water, soil, or plant life.  Earthing can:

• increase happiness
• restore balance
• reduce inflammation
• improve sleep
• improve circulation
• lower stress
• boost energy
• increase creativity.

So, walk barefoot through the grass and spend the day lying in the sand at the beach. Swim in the lake and sit under the tree in the park during your lunch break.

Block those UV rays

Using a good sunscreen that protects our skin from UV rays is crucial to avoiding skin damage. A good sunscreen should have an SPF of 15 or higher, be water-resistant, and provide broad-spectrum protection. Sun protection is the best approach. However, sometimes a sunburn can occur, and when it does, here are a few tips for dealing with it:

• Take frequent cool baths and showers.
• Use a moisturizer that contains aloe vera.
• Drink extra water – staying hydrated is crucial.
• Don’t pop blisters if they form; allow them to heal.

Summer travel and sleep

Traveling is fun but can also affect your sleep with jet lag, a common issue when traveling and occurs when the body’s internal clock and circadian rhythm are thrown off balance when traveling across time zones. Jet lag can cause fatigue, loss of short-term memory, diarrhea, and constipation. Jet lag is a temporary sleep disorder that can occur when traveling over time zones, making it difficult for the body to adjust circadian rhythms and sleep cycles.

There are some simple ways to avoid jet lag

• Try acupuncture.
• Get adequate daylight on arrival, as it is a powerful stimulant to balance the body’s internal clock.
• Avoid alcohol or caffeine at least three hours before sleep.
• Eat vitamin B-rich foods such as beets, bananas, strawberries, mung beans, and broccoli.
• Try a supplement that can support calm, relaxation, and sleep.

Eat for the summer heat

Summer foods that keep you healthy.

Blueberries – are antioxidant-rich and can reduce muscle fatigue after that long hike.

Cucumber is a refreshing and high-water content food and helps flush toxins from the body.

Lemons stimulate the liver and help to restore balance to the body’s pH.

Tomatoes have been shown to help protect against sunburn because they contain lycopene.

Fennel is packed with phytonutrients and antioxidants, and this fiber-rich vegetable acts as a diuretic.

Watermelon is 92% water, but it also contains lycopene and offers the same sunburn protection as tomatoes. Enjoy it right off the rind, or try watermelon water.

Mint soothes indigestion and can be used if nausea or experiencing motion sickness when traveling.

Alleviate motion sickness

Motion Sickness (sometimes called seasickness) occurs when the movement you visualize is different from what your inner ear is sensing. To prevent it:

• Avoid reading while traveling
• Avoid strong food odors, drinking alcohol, or eating heavily spiced foods
• Try a TCM herbal formula designed to lessen motion sickness
• At sea, keep your eyes on the horizon.