Summer is here. And with it comes the opportunity to take advantage of the warmer weather to get outside, get active, and get healthy. Here are some summer healthy living tips for keeping the family happy, healthy, and safe.
CREATE A ROUTINE WITH BALANCE
With kids home for the summer, there is often a tendency to sit in front of a screen the entire day. While some screen time is okay with problem-solving or physical games, all day-long isn’t a good habit.
One way you can instill some balance is with using the calendar to create a routine. You can add chores, reading time, city recreational classes, and outdoor activities. For the older children and teenagers, there’s community volunteering opportunities which later you can put on a job application.
STICK WITH EATING LIGHT
For moms, take advantage of the abundant fruits and veggies for good nutrition. And when the thirst kicks in, stick with light drinks.
If you like lemonade, Minute Maid has Light and Pink Lemonade with only 15 calories. That’s 85 percent fewer calories than regular fruit drinks.
MAKE NATURE A SMART CHOICE
The newest research says getting out into nature improves creativity, attention, and smartness. So look for ways to get your kids outdoors – but be safe.
- Protect with sunscreen
- Stay hydrated
- And take precautions with your eyewear
For example, moving from hot to cold temperatures, like from the AC to outdoors, can fog up your glasses leaving you temporary blinded. You can avoid this with a product called Optifog - these are the first-ever clear and sunwear lenses that give you long-lasting fog-free vision, and UV protection on the front and backside. So, to stop foggy lenses you can talk to your eye doctor.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OLYMPIC GAMES SPIRIT
With the Olympic Games coming this summer, it’s a great way to get in the spirit of physical activity.
You can check out the new Tide plus Febreze Freshness Sport with Victory Scent laundry detergent, which has a special technology to release a “Victory Fresh Scent” as you move.
And, for inspiration, you can go the brand’s Facebook page where you can read what the Red, White and Blue means to people across the country – and share your story as well. Sounds like fun!
STAY HYDRATED AND PROTECTED FROM THE SUN
For hydration the newest guidelines say “let thirst be your guide.” Normally you want to drink plenty of fluids – and eat lots fruits and vegetables because they tend to be higher in water content. However, in the summer, you want to drink extra water if you are sweating a lot. And you need to watch over children in warm weather, because they might not automatically realize they should drink more
And, here’s some sunscreen tips –
- Don’t rely on the SPF label for complete protection - the SPF only protects you against sunburn and 5 percent of the sun’s rays, not skin cancer.
- For broad protection — look for products with either zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or avobenzone
- And creams or lotions give you better coverage – instead of sprays or powders
Here’s more information on the most-protective, least-toxic sunscreens available and the upcoming FDA sunscreen labeling changes.
Photos by Office of Governor Patrick
RELATED STORY: Today’s Kids — Finding Ways to Kick the Screen Habit
Terra Wellington is working with the companies mentioned to bring you this wellness message.