Take care of your body and mind this summer

With school in the rearview mirror, it’s safe to let out a sigh of relief and take out a chilled lemonade as you settle into your summer plans.

Whether those plans entail glorious trips to Europe or just to the refrigerator down the hallway, it’s important to not forget one of the main reasons summers exist: to recharge and take care of yourself.

Summer is a great time to learn how to cope with stress. It’s no secret that acne or other inflammation on the body can result from stress, and combating this tricky side effect could be as easy as learning to relax.

Dr. Loretta Ciraldo, a dermatologist in Miami, says that relaxing scents coupled with 15 minutes of mindfulness can lessen stress. When you tackle stress by calming the nerves, the chances of side effects such as those pesky breakouts decrease. Buying a travelsized, roll-on essential oil (available on Amazon) can make all the difference in quick stress relief.

Hydration is key, too. Drinking enough water can help reduce buzzing headaches, foggy moods and even prevent fainting spells. Get help remembering your daily dose of water by downloading a water reminder app, like Drink Water, which can keep you on your toes when it comes to staying hydrated. The suggested time to drink water is about every half hour.

Another essential for summer is sunscreen, which keeps you from getting scorched today and prevents sun damage and premature aging in the future. There are plenty of options, so make sure and find the best sunscreen for your skin type starting with at least SPF 25. What’s even better is when you can find a moisturizer combined with sunscreen, like Aveeno’s Positively

Moisturizer $14). mended featured magazine, gena Lotion Another Clear Radiant Sunscreen, sunscreen, in is Face Seventeen (Target, Neutro- recom- Daily Liquid whic uses mula (Walgreens, a to preventative avoid $14). breakouts for

the Last most but of not your least, time make off by little finding things! the Make joy in sure to the not oversleep too much,as this can cause headaches and fatigue and even worsen symptoms of depression. Don't waste time this summer. Get up, go for walks, invest in new hobbies or jobs, or volunteer to keep your mind and heart busy.