Summer Wellness: Beat the Heat and Stay Healthy

Sweet summertime means beach vacations, outdoor parties, and easy living. But it can also mean no routines, food-on-the-go, and hot-hot temps. Make the most of your fun in the sun while staying physically (and mentally) at the top of your game with these 5 easy tips for staying healthy this summer.

Stay hydrated

We’ve all heard it 1,000 times before, but let’s make it 1,001: we need to hydrate! It turns out the oft-repeated claim that you need to drink at least eight glasses of water to avoid dehydration is not exactly accurate, but the idea behind it is a sound one, especially as rising summer temperatures tax your body and strip it of H₂0.

An extra mini-fridge makes it easy for you and your family to stay on top of your hydration game by placing cold, refreshing drinks within easy reach, wherever you like to hang out and enjoy yourselves –  like rec rooms, basements or outdoor entertainment areas. This compact Kenmore fridge offers 1.7 cu. ft. of cold beverage storage that fits nearly anywhere. Bonus: it’s also perfect for dorm rooms.

And while you may want to cut back on the spritzers, since alcohol speeds up dehydration, you don’t have to avoid them altogether. Alternate alcoholic drinks with something rehydrating (and low in sugar) like sparkling water.

Breathe easier

Summer allergies are nothing to sneeze at, thanks to pollen from grasses and weeds that seem to be everywhere in summer and can have you achoo-ing every time your neighbor mows the lawn or the wind kicks up. There’s more danger lurking in the air for asthma sufferers, including from pollution, which tends to increase on the hottest days of summer. Climate events like forest fires can also send dangerous particulates into the air.

People with asthma feel the effects of low air quality more than others, but it’s a health issue for everyone. Instead of worrying when pollen counts are high or air quality is low, take action with an air purifier. One of the easiest ways to eliminate the hacking and wheezing associated with an asthma attack is to keep your windows closed and run an air purifier, especially in the bedroom at night.

This Kenmore air purifier is just right for bedrooms and offices, offering true HEPA filtration for rooms up to 850 sq. feet., plus its Energy Star® certified.

Stay cool

The temptation to throw open your windows in summer can bring outdoor allergens and pollution inside. Instead, keep your windows closed and stay cool with the help of an air conditioner unit… or even a new, energy-efficient central air conditioning system.

Other easy-to-do tips for staying cool include exercising or running errands in the coolest times of the day (morning or evening); wearing light, loose cotton clothing during the day; and taking a cool shower or bath before bed or whenever you feel overheated.

Load up on fruits and veggies

Hydration can be more than just water. Did you know that most fruits and vegetables have a significant water and electrolyte content, too?

When the heat index rises, turn to a healthy snack that also doubles as a hydration source, like strawberries or watermelon. Enjoy fresh vegetables as a healthy, hydrating snack with or without a healthy dip like hummus or pesto. And be sure to avoid foods with lots of salt, which can dehydrate you further.

Connect with friends and family

Researchers are documenting what common sense has always told us: the mind and body are deeply connected and the state of one influences the other. To keep healthy this summer, don’t forget to nurture yourself by investing in your relationships.

You might connect by meeting up with a friend at an air-conditioned movie, or make a walking date with a neighbor in the cool part of the day. Catch up with a relative while taking in the latest exhibit at an art museum. Take the kids to the pool, or for some ice cream.

These face-to-face activities are perfect for escaping the heat and connecting with others, an important step to keep you feeling your best all season long.

Make the most of your summer

Don’t let summer bummers like asthma attacks, allergies, dehydration and overheating take the air out of your summer fun. Focus on staying healthy and enjoying every minute of your summer to the fullest with some proactive thinking about everything from hydration to friendships.