Three Summery Ways to Improve Your Health

For the health conscious, there’s no such thing as a summer vacation from making good nutritional choices and getting plenty of exercise.

But there’s no reason to let a healthy lifestyle become boring.

Here are three ways to let the summer season guide your routine:

Mix Up Movement:

After months of indoor exercise, you may be ready for a change of scenery. And summer is the ideal time to take a break from the treadmill and incorporate different types of movement and exercise into your lifestyle.

So ditch the gym this weekend and head for greener pastures. From row boating to hiking, you’ll find yourself activating different muscles than you normally would by mixing things up.

Eat In-Season Produce:

Take advantage of the summer harvest and plan meals around in-season produce.

The USDA lists apples, beets, bell peppers, kiwifruit, carrots, garlic, peaches, okra and cherries, amongst many more fruits and vegetables that reach their peak in the summer months. These items are a chock full of vitamins and nutrients and taste their best in summer.

Summer Sun:

Beyond the Vitamin D factor, a study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology shows that sunlight may lower blood pressure, which could reduce one’s risk for heart attack and stroke.

Some researchers now say the benefits of sunlight could outweigh cancer risks associated with exposure. Don’t forget to take the usual precautions, however. Wear sunglasses, sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat to protect against harmful UV radiation.