Summer Safety: Health and Wellness Blog

After a morning of yard work that left me thirsty all day and a little sunburned on my back, I wanted to share some summer safety tips that I need to remember :).

Working in natural health and wellness, plus considering Blue Zones, I would encourage all of us to seek natural ways to fulfill these suggestions below (contact me today if you would like to know what natural remedies I have found that work well).

Hydration: According to eHow.com, before any physical activity in the heat, make sure you are hydrated. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests fluids every 20 minutes.

SPF: According to eHow.com, apply sunscreen before going out, and reapply every couple of hours or after water. According to the AAP, sunscreen should be at least 15 SPF and protect against UVA & UVB.

I missed these two yesterday so I started with number three below . . .

After Sun: If you forgot your SPF or did not reapply often enough, reach for your aloe plant or other after-sun relief.

Bugs: For a safe bug repellant, you can make your own with oils, or I spray myself with my all-purpose cleaner :).

Summer Eating: According to Livestrong.com, eating a varied diet that includes complex carbohydrates, lean meats and healthful omega-3 fats can help prevent summertime weight gain. Choosing fruits and vegetables in season can save money while adding variety (and the fruits hide the flavor of the spinach in my protein shake each morning).

Sleep: Late night celebrations, travel and other summertime activities can lead to sleep deprivation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lack of sleep has been linked to health problems like heart disease, depression & diabetes. To improve sleep, stick to a regular schedule and aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night.

Grass Stains (catsup, dirt, etc.): search the Internet for natural stain removers or try a recommendation from my friend who used cloth diapers.

For your FREE consultation (in person, over the phone, via email), speaking and training needs, tips, or gift certificates, please contact Jessica Crouch: www.ChooseToImprove.com, Jessica@OrganizeAnywhere.com, 319-504-6689. Remember, reaching a goal with help is better than not reaching it at all: working with busy women who are passionate about making a change in their health because they are “sick and tired” of being sick and tired - mentoring them using natural health & wellness so they can save money and sick days!