Youth Incorporated Magazine

Summer is officially here, and the humidity is making it almost unbearable. It is important to take care of your health when the weather changes so drastically.  A change of season calls for a change in routine, a revamped diet, and of course, a new exercise regimen that suits the weather. The onset of warm weather can make your body more vulnerable to different types of diseases and certain health guidelines must be followed to ensure a healthy summer. Here are a few tips to keep yourself healthy and happy this summer.

Eating healthy is the most important thing for the summer. Eat light, small, frequent meals. Heavy meals with large amounts of carbohydrates and fats give rise to a lot of heat in the body. Focus on fresh fruits and vegetables that have high water content – such as oranges, watermelon, tomatoes, etc. Try keeping your consumption of alcohol and caffeine to a minimum, as alcohol, fizzy drinks and coffee can leave you dehydrated quickly. The best way to hydrate yourself is with water, or by making drinks at home! Keep yourself well hydrated by drinking at least 2 to 3 litres of water every day. 

As much as we love outside food, roadside food can be contaminated and may lead to foodborne illnesses. Also, if food is not stored properly in this heat, it may get spoilt and lead to a stomach infection.

In terms of taking care of your skin, protect your vision from the harsh sunlight at work and at play, and wear protective eyewear. When outdoors, wear sunglasses that block at least 99% of ultraviolet rays. Restrict outdoor activities to the cooler parts of the day – early mornings before 11. am or late evenings after 5.00 pm.

If you have plans of travelling this summer, then make sure you take precautions for travel as well! Here are a few tips:

Accessorize right

Wear light colours and natural fabrics like cotton and linen. When you are outside, use proper covering for your mouth, nose and ears to shield yourself from the hot winds, which can cause dehydration. Use a hat or an umbrella for shade and wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.

Wear sunscreen

Apply a good waterproof sunscreen to all exposed parts of your body and reapply it every three to four hours to ensure your skin remains protected.

Adopt an appropriate skincare routine

Summer can wreak havoc on your skin if proper care is not taken. Excessive oil and sweat can cause troublesome irritation, rashes, prickly heat, and worsening of acne. Wash your face often or use tissues to wipe a sweaty face to avoid acne. To soothe the skin, use natural face packs with aloe vera gel or sandalwood powder.