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It’s been a long time since we deviated away from mortgages and real estate. After all, it’s the summer now and people’s minds can be elsewhere, and rightly so! We thought we’d use the week around mid July (aka midsummer) to talk about your overall health! Mental and physical health are always important, but summer breaks are usually the best time to double check yourself. At the same time, people want to enjoy their summers more than they should and end up harming themselves. How to balance it out?

Are you a beach person? No one likes to get sunburnt and weird tan lines. Take your sunscreen out again. Not only does it help prevent skin cancer, but it has also been proven to help slow down your skin‘s aging process. Severe sun burns can also lead to severe dehydration which could require a stay in the hospital.

A sunscreen with a lower SPF can be just as effective as one with a higher SPF. However, people with a fairer complexion should use a higher SPF, due to less melanin in their skin. Lotions are usually a little more effective than sprays, just because there is less of a chance for streaking.

Who’s hungry? Everybody with a backyard at home loves a good barbeque during the summer. How about you try cooking something new, instead of the traditional meats? You could opt for grilled chicken or try some fresh fish on the grill. These portions of tasty protein are much healthier and leave you feeling fuller longer. Cooked vegetables are not bad either 🙂

Need a drink? Water should be your best friend for a summer drink. Sure, you will still enjoy the occasional cocktail and beer, but make sure you drink more water if you are going to be outdoors for more than a few hours. For every hour that you are in the sun, you should drink at least 1-2 glasses. This prevents dehydration and will replenish your energy levels while you take in the rays.

Goooood morning! Too many people forget to eat breakfast in the morning before heading outside. Without proper nutrition when you get up, your body basically wilts in the summer sun, potentially leading to heat overexposure, dehydration, or fainting.

Eat a breakfast high in protein with a side of fruit or whole grains. Plus, a healthy breakfast first thing in the morning will jump-start your metabolism.

About those drinks.. It’s understandable that want to have a good time, but play it safe on the alcoholic beverages if you are going to be outside for more than a few hours.

When you drink alcohol in the sun, it dehydrates you further, causing you to perspire and urinate more. Alcohol fails to replenish your water stores, so it’s important that you drink water between alcoholic beverages. I know, we’re not fun.

It’s time to go! Although you want to have everything you need when catching a flight to your vacation destination, it’s important that you pack light – especially if you are a frequent traveler.

Most people don’t think of luggage leading to injury but can be more common than you think.

A light suitcase can prevent injuries such as strains and tears. If you do need to pack more because you are going on an extended trip, make sure you are familiar with proper techniques for heavy lifting; bend at the knees, use your leg muscles, and avoid twisting or rotating your spine.

Ideally, you want to save money by not checking your bags, but it may be a good idea to reconsider, if you are traveling alone. A checked bag fee is cheaper than a visit to the doctor.

Bon voyage!