Healthy Hints for Summer

Healthy Hints for Summer

Phew! It’s July and we’ve already had a few hot, scorching days in Northwest Arkansas. The temperatures are going to continue to rise and to help you easy breezy and a little more comfortable, here are some tips to keep you cool this weekend and the rest of the summer…

“Cool” Foods 

Eastern nutrition categorizes foods according to the energetic qualities of temperature (hot, warm, cool, cold, neutral) and taste (sweet, sour, bitter, salty, pungent). Foods with what we consider “cooling” properties help to clear heat, reduce toxins, and generate body fluids – all great for hot, humid, summer days! On these days add lemon or mint to your water or make a dish that includes the following:

• watermelon (my favorite choice this time of year)
• cantaloupe
• lemon 
• orange
• peach
• apricot
• broccoli
• spinach
• cucumber 
• corn
• cilantro
• mint
• fish and seafood (less red meats)

Hydration

Fluid intake (eh hem, not beer) is critical to comfortably navigating the heat. If you’re not doing it already, drink a glass of water upon waking and continue to sip throughout the day. Urine should be almost clear, if it is dark, increase your intake.

Siesta

It makes complete sense that countries near the equator take a little break midday…it’s HOT! And we all know that last thing you want to do after eating lunch when the weather is warm is get back to work. So hey, if it’s a weekend or you’re on vacation, a little noontime snooze will feel ah-mazing.

Chill

Summer is also THE most Yang time of the year that spurs us to be more outwardly active. To balance this, some great Yin activities you can incorporate now are swimming, meditation, and restorative yoga to help keep your spirit calm and assure you get good sleep.

Have a Safe and Happy Summer!