Summer is getting close.
Are you ready?
Summer is one of those times of the year when it’s easy to throw in the towel and give up trying to be healthy. Summer can also be a great time to start or reinforce good habits.
Heath encompasses our entire well-being. It’s not just about food choices. It’s about mindset, environment and community.
Here are my 4 Keys to a Healthy Summer…only 1 relates to food.
1. Go for walks/hikes outside.
The warm sun on your skin does wonders for your mood (not to mention your vitamin D levels). A walk or hike will also get the blood flowing – that’s good not only for cardiovascular health but also detoxification. The liver – the body’s main detox organ – loves movement. If you break out in a little sweat, all the better. The skin is another detox organ and perspiration is a way for the body to release toxins.
A simple walk outside will do it – around the block or to the store. If you can, get away for a hike in nature with some friends. This will fulfill key #1 and #3. Keep reading…
2. Go to the Farmer’s Market and try a new vegetable.
There are so many fruits and vegetables available during summer. The variety is incredible. No other time of year will you have this great of a selection.
So, go to a Farmer’s Markets and explore. Pick an unusual or new vegetable to try every week. Get to know one of the farmers behind the stands and ask them questions about how to best prepare or what to pair a vegetable with.
Usually, a little olive oil, salt and pepper in the oven at 350-400F for 20 minutes is enough to make any vegetable mouth watering. But ask the folks behind the stand – they’ll have great ideas.
3. Do something creative.
Creativity is one of the biggest gifts we can give to ourselves. It boosts our esteem, confidence and productivity. It is also closely tied to our energy. It is an outlet of self-expression, which rekindles our passions and allows them take form.
Start that project you’ve been thinking about; create a vision board before summer of what you’d like to do; or create a collage with pictures from a recent vacation or event. It doesn’t have to be big or fancy and nobody else has to see it, just get those right brain juices flowing.
4. Build community.
Summer is a great time to get together with family and friends. Surround yourself with people who are like-minded, that love you and are supportive. This will rebuild oxytocin levels and help you feel calmer and more resilient.
There is ample opportunity to do this – Summer BBQ’s, picnics, camping, festivals…the list is endless.
The evenings are long. Enjoy them.
If you want a jumpstart on these, join me in the Spring Fling Wellness Bootcamp for Women where we will be doing a little bit of all of these. It’s going to be an amazing 4 weeks of food and nurturing support. It starts this Thursday, May 21. Click here to register.
If you can’t make it to the live workshops, there is an online option for you! If you aren’t sure if it’s the right program for you, contact me here and let’s chat.
Xx,
Maria