Summer is all about picnics, pools, and parks, right? Well, that’s just part of it. See how this season is the perfect time for a yearly mind and body reset that can have lasting benefits.
Now is the perfect time to understand and take advantage of the unique ways summer can improve your health and well-being.
Here are three ways to soak up the benefits as the days get longer and the temperatures rise.
Optimize your exposure to light during this sunny season. This in turn promotes changes in our circadian rhythms. These are the physical, mental, and behavioral changes that follow us throughout each 24-hour cycle. They drive things like when we feel sleepy or when we are hungry.1
You have more opportunity to get outside and be in the sunshine. This helps to regulate hormones like cortisol and melatonin. Cortisol is thought of as a stress hormone. But it’s also important to your circadian rhythms, waking us up and energizing us for the day.
Getting sunlight first thing in the morning helps start your 24-hour clock, helping regulate the body’s internal cues—benefitting our metabolism, stress response, and even our sleep.
Take cues from the sun when it goes down. Start your wind-down routine by putting away your screens. This small change helps to minimize how much artificial light you’re exposed to.
Head outside to exercise. You’ll gain so much more than fitness. Scientists discovered “green exercise” has positive impact on your mind, too. You can boost your mood, calm down, and reduce your stress in the first five minutes of outdoor activity. The effect is like meditation. It helps you feel more calm and puts you into a state of flow.
Think of it as a “system reset” that helps you regain focus and prepare for the challenging tasks of the day.
Warmer months offer an explosion of newly grown fruits and veggies. They’re great for the bacteria in your gut, also known as your “gut microbiome.”
Research shows a link between good bacteria and the suppression of certain kinds of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and heart disease. There also seems to be a positive connection to overall immunity.2
Eating fruits, veggies, and legumes help to keep your microbiome balanced. They contain a different combination of phytochemicals and fiber that feed your good gut bacteria.
In summer, try to eat a super salad every day. Make it with lots of veggies to help you feel full without adding a lot of calories to your meal. Add a complex carb like quinoa and top it with lean protein like fish, beans, or tofu.
Discover new fruits and veggies at a farmer’s market. Take time to chat with the growers, because many will offer recipes and tips to use what they grow.
Remember that summer is fleeting. Dive into everything it has to offer before the leaves fall.
Ready to make the most of the season? Discover new ways to combat conditions, support your gut health, and try new foods with expert guidance from MOBE.
Use “me time” to boost your emotional well-being, reframe your mindset, de-stress, and experience the upside of socializing with customized support from a MOBE Guide.
References
1. Circadian Rhythms, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, https://www.nigms.nih.gov/education/fact-sheets/Pages/circadian-rhythms.aspx
2. Can gut bacteria improve your health? Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School, https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/can-gut-bacteria-improve-your-health
