After a long and exhausting school year, the summer is anticipated by nearly every college student. While taking advantage of long hours spent lounging by the pool, or just doing whatever you want, keep in mind these healthy tips that will make your summer more fun and help you look and feel your best when you go back to school.
Eat Healthier
It can be difficult to eat healthy during the school year, so all the hours you’ll have this summer and the access to making your own meals at home can make it easier. The summer is when a lot of fruit and vegetables come into season and it’s likely your town has a farmer’s market that you can attend to get produce. Farmer’s markets are great places to get fresh, local produce and can often be cheaper with higher quality products. Find somewhere in your area and try to go at least once a week to get your fresh servings of fruits and veggies.
Start That Exercise Plan
All year you’ve been saying that you would work out, but something always got in the way. Try to take advantage of summer by exercising. No, you don’t need to buy a gym membership, as there are plenty of free and fun ways to exercise. Go outside for a walk, play a game or watch a video on Youtube. These are all fun, free and easy ways to get fit.
Stay Cool
Heat can be hard on your body so make sure that you’re drinking plenty of water. Avoid drinking sugary drinks and alcohol, which dehydrate you quicker and have more calories. Bring a towel and water if you’ll be working outside and drink water while out at the pool. If you get too hot, go inside with air conditioning and rest until your body temperature lowers. Prolonged exposure to heat can make you sick, dehydrated and irritable.
Wear Sunscreen
If you’re going outside you should be wearing sunscreen. Sunburns can be very painful and exposure to the sun can increase your risk of skin cancer. You can buy sunscreens with tanning bronzer if you’re worried about your sunscreen killing your tan, but keep in mind that the notion that sunscreen blocks a tan is not true. Wearing sunscreen simply protects your skin against harmful UV rays but won’t keep you from getting your summer tan.
Quit an Unhealthy Habit and Make a New One
They say it takes 90 days to break a bad habit, so summer is perfect to try breaking a habit you know you should. It takes way less time to form a habit, so switch out a bad habit for a new one. Whether it’s exercising daily, reading every day or doing a facemask weekly, make a new habit. Quit whatever your old vice is, and do something better.
Summer offers you the time to relax you mind and body after a busy semester. Take advantage of all that you can to start taking care of yourself a little better. You might form better habits to take with you into the new school year and better yourself for the future.