The beginning of Summer brings a lot of excitement – warmer weather, longer days, beach trips, fun vacations. But, it can also bring a swell of issues related to jealousy, dehydration, body image, exercise, and food. We want you to experience the fullest, happiest, and most exciting Summer ever. So, let’s talk about reclaiming Summer, so you can be joyful and healthy.
1: Prioritize hydration
We say this every Summer (and also during the Fall, Spring, and Winter….), but hydration is so so so so important. Carry a water bottle around with you EVERYWHERE – and set reminders on your phone to drink! Snack on hydrating fruits, like watermelon, strawberries, cantaloupe, and peaches. Try electrolyte mixes (we have an epic and easy recipe here) to intensify the hydrating properties of your water. Staying hydrated is going to make it much easier to enjoy your Summer activities, events, and adventures!
2: Wear comfortable clothing
When it comes to pursuing positive body image, we always encourage wearing comfortable clothing. Choose loose items that fit – and get rid of the pieces that don’t! Not only will this be productive for your mental state, it will also make moving and playing outside so much easier and more enjoyable.
3: Be picky with social media
To make it simple, unfollow or mute accounts that don’t make you feel good. Whether you’re following accounts that trigger insecurities, jealousy, or simply don’t make you happy, remember that your social media feed is yours. It exists to serve you and make your life easier, not the other way around.
4: Do not entertain negative thoughts
Be strict with what thinking patterns you allow yourself to entertain. Do not allow yourself to go down a rabbit hole of negativity – this is definitely easier said than done, but it is certainly not impossible. As you spend less time entertaining negative thoughts, it will become more natural. Let the thoughts pass through your mind without judgement, but do not let them dwell.
5: Do not skip meals
We know that warm weather can sometimes result in decreased appetite, but it is very important not to skip meals. Prioritize building balanced meals, so you are fueled through all of your Summer activities. We have some pretty epic cold recipes that are perfect for warm days, like this chickpea salad, our super nutrient dense mediterranean chopped salad, and our refreshing post workout smoothie.
6: Have FUN with food
Summer is the perfect time to experiment with fun ice cream shops, BBQ recipes, cute cafes, s’mores, and Summer baking in general (did someone mention our blackberry muffins?). Savor all the foods and make eating an experience. We talk about mindful eating a lot, but seriously, we want to emphasize the importance of making room for all kinds of fun. Your Summer should be full of adventures, including in your eating life.
7: Be mindful of time spent outside
We love to encourage spending time outside, but remember that it can be easy to overheat. As we mentioned before, always have a water bottle, make sure to wear sunscreen, and avoid overexerting yourself in the heat. Identify shaded areas that are easy to reach, especially if you are going to be spending an extended period of time outside.
We can’t wait to see what adventures you all take this Summer. Let us know which one of our tips is your favorite!
Hannah Fliess
Hannah is currently pursuing a Master of Health Administration at the University of Florida. Hannah is incredibly passionate about intuitive eating through gentle nutrition. She loves distance running, matcha lattes, and dark chocolate!