Welcome to the dawn of a new season! Summer is finally around the corner, and with it comes the opportunity to come alive again after a long winter. This means shaking off the cobwebs and getting back into practicing healthy habits for many people. From how to naturally lower your sodium levels to switching up your fitness routine, here are seven ways to step into summer and feel better than ever.
1. Become a Veggie Monster
There’s no doubt that one of the most effective ways to stay healthy is to increase your vegetable intake. Summer is a great time to ensure that your plate is always filled with a rainbow of colors. Vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals and are also low in calories and fat. In other words, they’re the perfect food to help you reach or maintain your ideal weight.
A review of 77 studies found that increasing the number of vegetables in our diet leads to numerous health benefits. But it also found that a major roadblock to making this happen was many folks, especially children, simply don’t like the taste of veggies. Some quick tips for making vegetables more palatable include:
- Adding a flavorful yet healthy dipping sauce
- Roasting them in the oven with olive oil and sea salt (Remember: olive oil is good fat!)
- Sautéing them with garlic and onions
- Adding them to smoothies or soups
2. Get Moving!
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After a long cold weather season of being stuck indoors, nothing feels better than getting outside and moving your body. However, this doesn’t need to mean signing up for a gym membership or taking an expensive Zumba class. There are many other ways to get your heart pumping that don’t cost a dime.
For example, take advantage of the many free outdoor parks in your area and go for a hike, walk, or bike ride on the trails. Or, if you live near a beach, take a scenic stroll along the water’s edge. Studies have shown that being in nature can help reduce stress and improve our overall sense of well-being. There are many other amazing health benefits of spending time in nature.
3. Limit Your Sodium Intake
While most people think of salt as something to avoid, it’s actually a nutrient our bodies need. However, the key is to keep our sodium intake at levels that don’t exceed the recommended daily allowance (2,300 milligrams per day). You’ll need to read labels carefully and make wise choices when eating out or preparing your own meals.
We’ve got a great solution if you’re not interested in flexing your chef muscles this summer but still want to go the route of a lower sodium lifestyle. You can sign up for a low sodium meal delivery service to deliver healthy, delicious meals right to your door. They typically offer diverse recipes and cater to many dietary preferences, including vegan or vegetarian.
4. Eat More Seafood
Our bodies start craving lighter food options as we move into warmer weather. That’s why it’s a great time to increase your consumption of seafood – an excellent source of lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids that promote heart health. Plus, many types of fish are low in fat and calories, making them the perfect choice for those who want to slim down.
If you find it challenging to cook seafood, you should sign up for a Mediterranean meal delivery program to help you add more of it into your diet. The meals are not only healthy but also incredibly flavorful and easy to prepare.
5. Start the Mediterranean Diet
While we’re talking about the world’s number one ranked diet, there’s no better time to start the Mediterranean diet than the summer. This way of eating is based on the traditional cuisine of countries like Greece, Italy, and Spain. It focuses on consuming many plant-based foods, healthy fats, and seafood.
Studies have shown that following a Mediterranean diet can improve heart health and cognitive function. Plus, it’s one of the most sustainable diets, making it suitable for you and the planet. But if you’re not sure where to start, enroll in a Mediterranean diet meal delivery program to get the essentials delivered to your home with ease.
6. Detoxify Your Sleep Space
When most people think about detoxing their bodies, they usually focus on what we put into our mouths. But did you know that our sleep spaces can also be full of toxins that can negatively impact our health?
To create a more detoxified sleep space, start by eliminating any synthetic materials in your bedroom, such as polyester sheets or pillows. Instead, opt for natural fibers like cotton or linen. You should also make sure to open up the windows in your room to let in fresh air and sunlight. These simple steps will help you breathe easier and sleep better at night.
7. Drink More Water
Finally, increasing our water intake as we head into summer is vital since warmer weather means we sweat more and are generally more active. But even if you’re not sweating buckets, you should still aim to drink eight glasses of water per day to keep your body hydrated and functioning properly. Apart from drinking water, there are many other ways to stay more hydrated.
Studies show that people who stay hydrated perform better on memory tasks, have fewer headaches, enjoy better digestion and have better blood pressure. So do yourself a favor and make water your number one beverage this summer season.
Kickstart Your Summer Health Journey
Summer is the perfect time to recommit to healthy habits that benefit your body and mind. By incorporating some simple strategies into your routine, you can help your body heal and rejuvenate itself. We hope you’ve found these tips helpful!
