Prioritising Your Health This Summer
This is a collaborative post.
Summer is now, and at long last, quite clearly on the horizon. And not a moment too soon, either. After a big season for cold fronts, wet weather and Seasonal Affective Disorder, an even bigger season of sun, slouching and maybe getting a bit sozzled is right on our doorstep. This means longer days, fuller diaries and plenty of time in that great and glorious outdoors.
But between the barbecues, last-minute sun-and-sea getaways and inevitably overwhelming late-summer heatwaves, it’s easy to forget about number one. With so much excitement and such a stacked summer of fun and frolicking, many are prone to letting their health slip down the priority list a little. Given the summer has its own fair share of seasonal risks, this can be a bad thing for your long-term. Take control of your health this summer, by taking a few simple steps to look after your body and mind.
Stay Hydrated
‘Remember to stay hydrated’ is much more than a meme. As funny as it is to reference, it’s a joke rooted in undeniable reality. As UK summers get warmer and warmer, and as high-humidity heatwaves become a norm, it’s more important than ever for you to keep a keen eye on your hydration levels. Eight glasses of water a day might sound like overkill, but it’s more than necessary in the sweatier weather, and especially if alcohol briefly becomes one of your five a day.
Keep Yourself Sun-Safe
The sun, of course, presents a much more direct risk to your health than dehydration. The sun’s rays are famously carcinogenic, but this doesn’t stop us from spending hours in the sun each day, whether mindlessly or in active hopes of catching a tan. High-SPF sun protection is vital, as are regular check-ins with how you’re feeling. Heat exhaustion is no joke, but you can catch signs of it early!
Make Preventive Health Checks Part of Your Summer Reset
Year-round health issues don’t go away just because the summer’s arrived either, and, in fact, in certain scenarios, you could be at higher risk than usual. Sexual health is one of the first things that often takes a backseat during the summer months. Make STI testing a regular occurrence each summer, including a syphilis test for peace of mind. An unchecked STI can ruin more than your summer.
Don’t Put Your Mental Wellbeing on Holiday
Last but certainly not least, your mental well-being can take a counterintuitive dive in all the excitement of the summer season. Social pressures, changes to your routine and the general busyness of the summer calendar can deleteriously affect your mental health, even when things really “should” feel fun to you. If you feel things are getting a bit much, there are many places you can turn for help. Reach out to family and trusted friends, or look at mental health charities that work with the NHS.
