Self Care - Especially for Summer
Summer brings certain changes that make it essential to change up your self care routine. Sure, we all know come May its time to make sure you’re getting regular pedicures or at the very least making sure your feet are well scrubbed and polished yourself so you can wear your cutest sandals with no fear and keep your feet cool, but there’s a lot more to it than that. Below is a list of ideas to help you get through it in the best possible way!
Lots of sun, means lots of sunscreen! Put it on before you go outside or leave the houre for the day, and reapply every few hours. Better yet, put it on after you towel off in the shower so it glides easily, has time to absorb before you are in the sun’s rays and you don’t miss spots near the edge of your clothing. BUT… make sure to get the sunscreen off of you at the end of the day, especially off of your face. Sunscreen can settle in your pores and cause clogs if it is not removed daily.
Lots of sun, and lots of extra drinkable fun, and outdoor activity, mean HYDRATE! Yes, hydrate means getting in at minimum 80 oz of water a day (more if you are partaking in any of those previously mentioned activiies), but it also means making sure you are getting enough electolytes so that your body can absorb the water you drink and it gets into your cells. Make sure you have the right balance of potassium and sodium and enough magnesium in your diet. And though Gatorade will work in a pinch, ideally you’ll want to find an electrolyte drink with a lot less sugar and additives. One of my favorites is this one from Isagenix because it not only has those essential electrolyes but it contains hyaluronic acid as well to help you get your summer glow on!
Swimming this summer? You can help protect your hair from chlorine, salt water and sun by leaving a bit of conditioner in it when you shower. And, if you are a curly girl, this will also help those locks be frizz free if you rake and shake, scrunch and then don;t touch it it’ll dry. Add another light layer of conditioner to dry hair before swimming. Just be sure to give it a few minutes to absorb into pouros strands before hopping in the water so it stays in your hair longer.
If you live where it’s humid, add some extra Vitamin B and garlic to your diet. They are both good deterrents for mosquitos. Lavender and eucalyptus essential oils diluted into a carrier oil are also good natural bug repellents. Just avoid using coconut oil and opt for avocado, almond oil, apricot kernel oil, grapeseed oil, or witch hazel as a carrier for this mixture instead or it might attract those mosquitos more than the lavender repels them!
Take advantage of the bounty of fresh fruits and veggies that are available in the summer time! Switch up the apples, pears and other things that are stocked all year long for nectaries, plums, figs, cherries, etc. and the great variety of farm fresh lettuces and greens that are readily available over the summer. Your taste buds willl love the variety and your body will benefit from the different vitamins, antioxidants and other nutrients they provide!