The days of summer can get long, unending and frequently unbearable. It?s very easy to just give up and laze around on such days rather than battle all the sweat and the heat. This tendency to ditch all work and lay back can be pretty harmful to our health if we?re not careful. Lethargy leads to weight gain, and rapid weight gain is the breeding ground for several diseases. And as it is, it?s not possible for all of us adopt a laid back attitude during the whole of the season because our work makes it difficult for us to do that. Apart from the obvious physical effects of the scorching heat of the summer days, it can have dire consequences for our mental health too. There?s such a thing as summer seasonal affective disorder which can spell disasters for the well being of those affected by it.
That?s why it?s of great significance that you take special care to look after your health in the summer.
- #1 rule of summer: stay hydrated 24×7. Due to excessive sweating and exposure to the sun, your body is bound to lose a lot of essential fluids in a very short span of time in the heat of the summer. It?s essential to drink two to three liters of water every day to keep up the energy and allow the body to stay in working order. Your body is prone to dehydration in the summer and that can have many ill effects starting from headaches to exhaustion. To avoid things like that, make sure to stay hydrated at all times.
- Work out. If you?re already on a routine, don?t stop now. If you?re not, now would be a good time to start. It?s easy to veg out on the couch in these long, hot days but ultimately it?s bad for your health. You might gain weight from lying around all day and that will open the door to all kinds of diseases. Physical exercises like running, walking, biking can be great for your body to stay fit in the summer.
- Stay off the junk food. Don?t try to satiate your hunger by consuming lots of junk food. Junk food has high levels of cholesterol and trans fat, and are generally cooked in grease that can be detrimental to your health. It will make you sweat profusely and will certainly not help with staying in shape.
- Watch what you drink. It?s a good idea to stay off sodas, carbonated drinks, smoothies will lots of added preservatives, coffee and alcohol in the summer. While these may help quench your thirst for a period of time, they?re not substitute for healthy drinks as they can harm your body in several ways.
- Fresh fruits are your friends. Eating lots of juicy fruits is a great way to battle the heat in the summer. Watermelons, apples, bananas, oranges, lemons etc. boost your energy and replenish essential fluids in your body. By eating fresh fruits you can fill your appetite in a way that lets you be full of energy and vigor. Eating healthy can be a very useful way to stay healthy in summer.
