3 Tips for a Healthy Summer

We’ve been waiting all year for this moment!

The kids are out of school, the Stampede is starting up and the temperatures are heating up! Summer is officially here and it’s time to make the most of it. We want to enjoy being outside and taking advantage of all the fun activities summer has to offer. But of course, we want to keep ourselves and our families safe and healthy all summer long! There’s not much to say that hasn’t already been said, but we wanted to share our absolute top 3 tips for staying healthy this summer.

Sun Protection

This is always number one when it comes to warm summer months, and for good reason! Many of us will suffer from sunburns, and the rate of skin cancer is increasing. It is estimated this year 76,000 Canadians are expected to develop skin cancer, 30% more than 10 years ago. Make sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15 or higher, apply a generous amount from your ears to your toes at least 30 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply every couple of hours, especially if you are in and out of the water. Another option to protect your skin from the sun’s rays is UV protected clothing. Available at many travel or sporting goods stores, these kinds of shirts can protect from both UVA and UVB rays.

Hydration

We’re pretty sure we’ve heard enough about how important water is for you, but especially so when the weather’s warm! It is so easy to get dehydrated when the temperatures are warm, and we are enjoying the hot summer weather. The easiest thing to do is to never leave home without a bottle of water! Invest in a reusable water bottle you enjoy carrying around with you, this way you won’t want to leave home without it! Plain water can get boring, you don’t have to argue with us on this! Try throwing in a lemon wedge, cucumber or some mint leaves. It’s a refreshing and natural way to flavour your water without the added sugar. Staying hydrated keeps you going all day long so you don’t have to miss out on any fun activities outside!

Eat fresh

Some of the best parts of summer are edible! With summer BBQ’s and lounging by the pool, it’s natural to want to reach for that sweet summer drink, salty snack, or cool ice cream. But the high amounts of calories, sugar and other processed materials in these kinds of foods provide zero nutrition to fuel you through the day. Summer is really the best time for healthy eating! Everything is fresh, available, and affordable! Make an outing of it and head to the farmers market to pick up fresh snacks for your summer excursions. A slice of watermelon will feel much more refreshing than that bag of chips!

For any other question on staying healthy during summer feel free to speak with one of our pharmacists. They can make recommendations best suited to you and your family!