Summer is just around the corner and as the weather heats up, many of us find our energy levels somewhat depleted during the summer months. Although the sunnier weather makes us want to naturally go out and enjoy days at the beach or spend time with friends, many of us often feel drained and sluggish after spending time outdoors, or even just going about our day to day lives.
There are many ways in which you can boost your energy levels during the summer months, from quick pick-me-ups to small lifestyle changes, let’s take a look at some of the ways you can boost your energy levels during the summer.
Avoid Too Much Sun
Although it is recommended that you get your daily dose of vitamin D through natural exposure to the sun (around 15 minutes is plenty!), it’s also important to avoid spending too much time in direct sunlight. Not only is too much direct sun exposure bad for your skin, but it can make you feel fatigued and, in some cases, may even cause sunstroke.
Avoid spending too much time in the midday sun, as this is when the sun is at its highest and more likely to cause damage due to the harmful UV rays. Apply SPF daily and, if you do spend long periods of time in the midday sun, be sure to rest in a shaded area with plenty of water afterwards.
Eat The Right Foods
During the warm summer months, it’s much easier to feel motivated when it comes to eating healthy. Refreshing fruit, light salads and fresh juices are good for keeping you feeling energised as they have a variety of different nutrients and vitamins, such as vitamins with B12, zinc, iron and vitamin C.
It’s important to eat little and often during the day, particularly on really hot days, as this can help with your hydration levels and provide you with bursts of energy throughout the day, as opposed to eating larger meals just a few times a day. For snacking, look to choose food items that have a combination of water, salt and sugar as these can help replace fluids that your body has lost when sweating.
Stay Hydrated
A lot of people don’t realise just how quickly you can get dehydrated, especially during the summer months. When the weather begins to warm up, it’s important to drink plenty of liquids, mostly water, to ensure that your body operates properly and your energy levels aren’t affected.
Aim for around 8 glasses of water a day, as well as other drinks such as tea, coffee or juice. When heading out for a day in the sun, make sure to take a bottle of water with you and, if you start to notice any signs of dehydration, such as darkened urine, feeling dizzy or lightheaded, or feeling fatigued, get out of the sun and rehydrate as soon as possible.
Continue To Exercise Regularly
It might seem counterintuitive, but it’s important to try and get regular exercise even when the weather is warm. Regular exercise can help increase your energy levels and, the more active you are, the healthier you’ll feel in general! Exercise can also help to improve your mood and boost your overall wellness and mental wellbeing. If you are starting to exercise regularly for the first time, then be sure to support your workouts with probiotics and supplements, as well as drinking plenty of water, in order to avoid injury or getting dehydrated.