Summer Health and Safety

Summertime is a great time to start living a healthy lifestyle! It’s an opportunity to get outside and get active! Fresh fruits and vegetables are available to prepare healthy meals.

Healthy Lifestyle

There is a wide variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables that can help us make healthy choices for meals. The warm weather also invites us to enjoy more outdoor activities.

Tips to help you enjoy a healthy lifestyle this summer:

1. Buy Local Produce – The ease of obtaining locally grown fruits and vegetables invites us to enjoy them daily.
   Try these recipes to enjoy fresh produce grilled or eaten raw.
2. Outdoor Activities – Many activities can be moved from the indoors to the outdoors during the summer season. Increasing activity will benefit your body; including any aerobic type of exercise; such as walking, jogging, or biking.
3. Safe Sunlight – Enjoying the sun can help decrease depression and provide Vitamin D; however, enjoy the sun safely. Use a broad spectrum UV block sunscreen and avoid direct sunlight during peak hours (between 10am through 3pm).

Summer Safety

Additional Safety Tips:

• Heat – Take precautions to avoid heat stroke or heat exhaustion. Keep your body temperature from rising too high and drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep hydrated.
• Sun – Be “Sun Smart” and wear broad span UV protection sunscreen with an SPF of 30. Apply at least 1 oz. for every application and remember to reapply often. Anytime you burn your skin, it increases the risk for skin cancer.
• Food – Keep foods that need to be refrigerated out of direct sunlight and on ice if possible. Utilize food safety guidelines from the USDA to prevent food borne illnesses.
• Water – Who doesn’t enjoy a cool dip in the water during the summer heat? Practicing water safety is very important. These tips and guidelines for water safety can help.
• Boat – Be sure to practice safe boating; always wear a life jacket, have a working radio on board, keep a flare gun and first aid kit aboard your boat. It is important to know the current and forecasted conditions for the area that you’re boating in.

Live Your Life hopes you Live Your Life SAFE AND HEALTHY this summer. We’re always available to help get you started on a lifetime journey of healthy living.

Dr. Eva Norman
President & Founder
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Live Your Life Physical Therapy, LLC

Photo 1 by Stevebidmead (Pixabay)

Photo 2 by jill111 (Pixabay)