Healthy Fun in the Summer

Summer is the break that every student waits on. Not only does it signify the ending of school for a few months, it also is a time where students have room to breathe and have fun. Though summer is meant to be fun and is the time to chill out and eat junk food, there is always a need to stay healthy.

Summer is the hottest season, no doubt about it, and not everyone is prepared for the heat. They may need help with tips on how to stay cool and chill. 

Dr. Leah Edens, a University Academy Upper School English teacher, said, “I would recommend people stay hydrated and indoors and not exert themselves during the hottest part of the day.” 

Dr. Edens also spoke about things people can do to stay mentally and physically healthy.

“I plan on doing some cooking, some writing, and some cleaning out of my house. These will, I hope, be beneficial to my mental and physical health,” she said.

Staying hydrated is also an important part of the summer, but water can be boring and bland. Luckily, there are other healthy, cold options for a drink source this summer. 

“I particularly love the cold drinks of summer: green juices and berry or tropical smoothies, lemonade, iced hibiscus tea. They just taste good but are also really refreshing and healthy on a hot day,” Dr. Edens said.

  Health is important no matter what time of year. During the summer, there are a lot of things that can damage a person’s health without even realizing it. The sun, though it produces vitamin D, can still irritate and burn the skin, which is why people are advised to wear sunscreen and even sunglasses because the sun is at its peak during the summer. Without these precautions, the sun can damage eyesight and the eyes in general. 

Though the more common health risks and problems from going outside during summer weather are sunburn, eye damage and dehydration, the sun can also make a person lonely, especially when people are forced inside because of heat advisories. For this reason, it can be especially helpful to have company around to help reduce stress from the heat. 

Mr. Sam Carr, a University Academy business teacher, said, “I’m taking a trip to Seattle to see a baseball game and visit family because family can help with your mental state.” 

Being around loved ones can help out with stress caused by the heat. This same stress can cause a person to pass out in the heat, so having someone around to help can be key.

Mental health is just as important as physical health, and they both are things to keep track of this summer. A person’s mental health can also be affected by the sun’s heat rays making a person act more violent or angry. Making sure the body is chilled while in the heat can help people think better and keep their cool.

If feeling lazy, taking a jog around the local park or trail can have a positive impact. Walking to a nearby convenience store is also something to do to make sure the body is getting in a bit of exercise. But those two things aren’t the only things people can do. According to the MD Anderson Cancer Center, there are many different ways to take care of your health. Here are a few tips:

Wear natural fabrics, such as a loose-fitting, white cotton or linen shirt. Dark fabrics absorb light more than lighter ones.

Replace the salt lost from excessive sweating with lemon water. One squeezed lemon provides 21% of a person’s daily required dose of vitamin C. The acid in lemons can damage the teeth, so don’t forget to use a straw.

Remember that foods rich in fat and protein take longer for the body to digest and therefore require additional metabolic heat. Go for salads to help feel light and hydrated.

Stay indoors or in an air-conditioned area as much as possible. Even spending just two hours in an air-conditioned space can help reduce the risk of heat stroke.

These are all things that are possible to do and are small changes to an average summer day. But through it all, don’t forget to get outside once in a while, commune with nature and embrace the heat head on with sunscreen. Out of all these tips, the top two to keep in mind are to have fun and stay healthy.