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Healthy Habits to Establish This Summer

Posted on June 15, 2018 in Health and Wellness

With summer on the horizon, it’s an ideal time to focus on a healthy living routine, right? Here at Ohio Living Breckenridge Village, our goal is to ensure that each and every person who resides with us enjoys successful living to the fullest. That is why we want to take a moment to offer you some healthy habits tips that will enable you to thoroughly enjoy the social, intellectual, physical, and spiritual opportunities that our community has to offer during the summer – and, of course, all year long!

Stay Hydrated!
Did you know that more than 60% of the human body is made up of water? Did you also know that when the temperature rises and when you are physically exerted, you deplete the water levels in your body? Being dehydrated can lead to serious complications that could potentially result in hospitalization. In fact, one of the leading causes of hospitalization after the age of 65 is dehydration. What’s more, in older adults, the sensation of thirst begins to decrease, making you more at risk of becoming dehydrated. In fact, your body may be slightly dehydrated before you even begin to feel thirsty.


So, in order to make sure that you flourish this summer, stay hydrated! Drink water throughout the day — an equivalent of about eight glasses of water per day — so that you can ensure you stay well hydrated during the summer.


Purchase Fresh Produce at Local Farms
Instead of purchasing your produce at a grocery store, shop at a local Ohio farm stand during the summer months. The produce at your local farm stand is grown locally, which means that it is typically fresher than the produce available at the grocery store. The fresher the produce, the more nutritious it is – and the better it tastes! When produce is picked, the vitamins contained within it start to deteriorate and decrease. The produce that is sold at stores is often shipped, which means that it is not as fresh and it has more time to lose those all-important vitamins. Buying locally will provide you with the opportunity to eat produce that is fresh and still high in vitamins, including C, E, A and B.


Get Some Sun (But Use Protection)
Head outside to enjoy nature and to soak up some sun. The sun is an excellent source of vitamin D, which can do wonders for your bone health and your serotonin levels (those feel-good hormones).


Being outside can also provide you with ample recreational opportunities, including:


• Hiking
• Biking
• Participating in sports
• Gardening
• Bird watching


While being outside is certainly wonderful, especially during the summer months, do make sure that you heed caution. Wear sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 25 (use a higher SPF if you intend on being outside for longer, or reapply when necessary.) Wearing a hat, long sleeves and long pants can also protect you from the sun’s rays.


Enjoy A Meatless Monday
The intention of Meatless Monday is to promote heart health by having a day where the diet is free of meat. During Meatless Monday, try to avoid having meat in your diet for the day. Enjoy a tasty salad or an extra serving of veggies to help give your body a break.


Go to the Dermatologist
Make sure you visit your dermatologist. Exposure to the sun is wonderful in terms of feeling good and its vitamin D benefits, but you should make sure that your skin is properly cared for. Going to a dermatologist to be screened for skin cancer is an important preventative wellness task. Your dermatologist can also help with dry, itchy skin relief, prevention of shingles, eczema, wrinkles, and laugh lines too!


Exercise
There’s no denying that exercise is crucial for maintaining a healthy, vibrant life. Get outside and enjoy a round of golf, play a game of tennis, go for a walk or do some laps in the pool. Need some help getting motivated for exercise? Turn on the TV and watch some of the athletes participating in the various summer sporting events.

While summer may be the perfect time for vacations, it’s also a great time to establish healthy habits that last all year long. By following these tips, you can be sure that you will enjoy a flourishing lifestyle this summer, and all year long!