Easy ways to make you feel energetic for summer

Wellbeing

THERE’S something magical about summer that lifts spirits, boosts motivation levels, relieves tensions and generally makes everything seem happier and more fun.

For many of us, it means spending more time outdoors, topping up our minds, bodies and souls with a good dose of nature, fresh air and sunshine.

Yet ‘summer dread’ can crop up too. If your countdown to June is spent fretting over the thought of having to bare more flesh, put up with another bout of sweat rashes and chafing, or cope with the intensified social pressures (‘why does everybody else has an endless stream of invites to BBQs, picnics and parties, and I’m watching Big Bang Theory re-runs again?’), you’re not alone.

Summer though, like everything else in life, doesn’t have to be ‘perfect’ – and you don’t have to have a ‘perfect’ bikini body, or ‘perfect’ social life to enjoy it.

You just need these expert tips on how to make the most of a few months of sunshine:

Lucy Paltnoi, energy healer and

guide (lifeisenergii.com): “Each year, I clear the winter energy out of our home. I go through every room and decide what stay or go, store away blankets, jumpers, coats and boots, and take out lighter layers, T-shirts, cardigans and jackets. Cupboards are cleaned and tidied. It’s important to restore or replace broken items, dying flowers and plants. These steps address chores on my to-do list, and allow the energy in our home to flow freely again. I finish with vases of fresh flowers or plants and light some candles, inviting new, sparkly energy into our home for the year ahead.”

Sioned Quirke, NHS and media dietician (quirkynutrition.co.uk):

“I like to have a fridge clear-out! I usually find several items that have been sitting there for a while that I won’t use again, or may have passed the recommended storage time – especially sauces and conserves. I give my fridge a good clean too. Antibacterial wipes so easy and quick. It makes it less of a chore!”

Anna Magee, women’s health expert and editor (healthista.com): “I’m a huge fan of small changes that I don’t really notice, so this time of year, I give the house a ‘skinny makeover’. The average person makes 200 food decisions a day, according to research by Cornell University, so I change a few things about the way we eat to subliminally increase my willpower. These include drinking out of tall glasses [proven to lead to drinking less], covering healthy leftovers in cling-film so I can see them, and Sunday’s chocolate cake remainders in foil so I can’t. “It also means setting the scene with soft jazz at dinner – in another Cornell University study, people in a fast-food restaurant listening to soft jazz ate 18 per cent less than those listening to rock’n’roll!

“Lastly, I put my running shoes by my bed and my kit on the radiator, so they’re within eye shot as soon as I wake up. I need to intercept that moment between opening my eyes and deciding that working out is a bad idea! ”

Sally Wisbey, Spatone

nutritionist: “Spring has to be my favourite season; lighter evenings, warmer weather, sunshine and flowers bursting into life. It’s also a great time to detox your mind, body and home and make some changes for the summer months ahead.

“Take a walk in the sunshine in the park or woods and admire the beauty around – daffodils blooming and birds singing. I also love nothing more than having flowers around my house, especially daffodils – they really do make you smile.

“Starting off the day with a glass of warm water with the juice of one lemon will help cleanse the liver and aid with detoxification. Too much dairy, gluten, sugar and processed foods can be inflammatory and hard to digest, leaving you sluggish and tired, so cut back. Introduce green juices; bursting with nutrients, these will give you energy, get your skin glowing and keep your brain smart. Juice an apple, handful of spinach and kale, stick of celery, half a cucumber, chunk of ginger and the juice of half a lemon.

“Finally, get up to date on admin! Once it’s done, you will feel satisfied knowing you no longer have an over-flowing ‘to-do’ list hanging over you.”

Dr Sarah Brewer, GP

(DrSarahBrewer.com): “As soon as the sun shines, I’m out in the garden in the hope of replenishing my vitamin D levels: thinning the wild garlic; mulching the herb garden; collecting young bay tree leaves for fish dishes; tying in four grape vines climbing over my pergola...

“It’s so lovely getting outside again, and sunshine lifts my spirits.”