Sun, beach and hot weather… Summer is here at long last!
As the beautiful season rolls around, Polysleep wants to remind you how important it is to take care of yourself this summer - and all year-round of course.
Here are 5 Easy Summer Self-Care Tips
1. Sunscreen it up
Yes, that sun feels amazing and that Vitamin D from the sunlight is great for you as well! However, sun protection is absolutely crucial during the summer months. Ultraviolet (UV) rays are very harmful. To help prevent this and other larger issues like premature aging of the skin and other harmful effects, make sure you protect your skin from UV radiation by applying sunscreen before you step outside every day. You can also take even further measures and stay safe in the sun by keeping track of the UV index to see how much sun exposure there is.
Polysleep Tip
Before applying sunscreen, make sure to follow a healthy skin regimen for the summer season. Start with a hydrating cleanser, followed by a hydrating toner or essence and then a serum with hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides, squalane, or aloe vera. Then, apply a lightweight moisturizer followed by your sunscreen. For facial sunscreens, try out a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher with a sweat-and-water-resistant formula. Make sure to prioritize using safe Vitamin D Enhanced Sunscreen to protect your skin from harmful UV radiation without compromising your health or the environment.
2. Hydration is key
Staying hydrated is crucial and that’s especially true during the warmer months. On average, you should drink eight 8oz glasses or roughly two liters of water every day. That number goes up to roughly two and a half liters in the summer months. If you’re engaging in physical exercise, it’s even more essential to stay hydrated by drinking water before, during and after you work out.
3. Get moving
Speaking of which, you should be exercising and moving your body all year long - and that includes the summer months. Even light exercise, like walking each day, has proven benefits. Try setting a daily step goal and sticking to it! The great thing about walking is that you don’t need any special equipment or a gym membership to do it. All you really need are some good walking shoes. If you need some motivation, try walking and listening to music or your favorite podcast, walk with friends or family or take the dog for a walk.
How far should you go?
You know that saying "10k a day keeps the doctor away”? Well the reality is actually a lot better than it seems. 10,000 steps are roughly equal to 5 miles or 8 kilometres. However, research indicates that significant health benefits can also be achieved with even fewer steps each day. The reality is, some activity is better than no activity at all, so make sure to aim for a daily step count that’s reasonable and manageable for you.
Walking for regular activity can help reduce your risk of common health problems such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and depression. So what are you waiting for? Grab those walking shoes!
4. Healthy food
Another great thing about the summer is that you have easier access to fresh and sustainably grown fruits and vegetables at the markets and from local harvests. Farmers’ markets have tons of seasonal delights to enjoy in the summer. The key to choosing healthy foods is to focus on hydration. That’s because the healthiest and most refreshing summer foods contain lots of water and also have the added benefit of keeping you hydrated.
What are the best summer foods?
When you’re at your local farmers market, go for summer foods with high water content like watermelon, berries, cucumber, tomatoes, peaches, oranges, cabbage, grapefruit and pineapple. Also opt to go for foods that are high in electrolytes, sodium and potassium to keep you energized when it’s hot outside. These include leafy greens, avocados, potatoes, beans and other legumes, seeds, bananas and olives.
5. Vitamins and nutrients
In addition to healthy foods, you should also be focusing on getting your daily intake of vitamins and nutrients. This includes:
- Vitamin C: Increased sun exposure during the summer can lead to damage to the skin due to UV radiation. Vitamin C helps neutralize free radicals and reduces the harmful effects of sun exposure on the skin.
- Vitamin D: Known as the “sunshine vitamin”, Vitamin D plays an important role in our overall health and wellbeing and is crucial for bone health and immune function.
- Magnesium: Magnesium is essential for maintaining healthy muscle and nerve function, helps regulate blood pressure and supports the immune system. It’s an important electrolyte that helps regulate fluid balance in the body which is even more important during the summer months.
Polysleep Takeaway
Keep your health top of mind this summer by applying lots of sunscreen, following a healthy skin care regimen, staying hydrated, moving your body regularly, eating lots of healthy foods and making sure you get your necessary vitamins and nutrients!
If you’re looking for something else to do this summer…
Why not give Polysleep mattresses a try? We’re Canada’s Comfiest Mattress! Our high-quality mattresses are the perfect fit all year round.
