Top 5 Ways to Play it Safe for a Happy, Healthy Summer

Some compare summers on Long Island to being on an eight-week vacation. From beautiful beach days to backyard barbecues, the nice weather allows for us to enjoy some of Long Island’s best attributes! While being relaxed and having fun is currently a complete necessity, getting carried away with over-eating, over-drinking, and over-playing can cause unnecessary physical and emotional distress.

Here are my top 5 ways to play it safe and have a happy, healthy summer.

1 – ­Shade, sunglasses, and SPF are a must. Your skin loves the sun, we get it, but remember, too much of a good thing is a bad thing! Not only can you cause severe aesthetic damage to your skin, but you can also put yourself at risk for skin cancer. Your eyes are also at risk from those UV Rays, so stay in the shade during peak sun hours (12-4PM). Wear stylish sunglasses especially when driving, and don’t leave home without your SPF. Skin expert, Nicoletta Rasizzi, BSN, RN, Clinical Nurse and Director of Replenish Health and Wellness Center in Huntington, recommends at least 50 SPF for your face.

2 – Drink your way to better health. The summer is the time of year that people get dehydrated the most. It’s hot, humid, and more often, people are enjoying an iced coffee or hard seltzer over H2O. If you want to help reduce the risk of getting dehydrated, which can cause an array of health issues, make sure you are getting at least 64 ounces of water in daily.

3 – Stock up on seasonal fruit. Watermelon, berries, kiwi, and pineapples are some summertime favorites that are packed with vitamins and antioxidants! Helpful for keeping you hydrated as they are mostly water based, these fruits are a refreshing, healthy snack for a hot summer day.

4 – Make sure you move. You are probably so fed up with hearing about how exercise is good for you…but remember, we hear things as many times as we need to. Walking, swimming, cycling, or tennis are all incredible cardiovascular exercises. Yoga and weight training are also great choices for optimal physical and mental health. Shoot for 30-45 minutes of movement a day.

5 – Mental breaks make you better. Unplugging, meditation, focus breathing, and even cat-napping, are all examples of ways to truly unwind. When the mind can rest, the body can reset and replenish as well, creating calm and peace within. Studies show that practices such as meditation might ease certain stresses like anxiety, depression, and even pain.