20 healthy summer days
Make these tiny wellbeing tweaks for the next month without ruining your fun in the sun!
116 wellbeing and lifestyle tips for fun in the sun
Despite it being holiday season, summer is often the busiest time of the year, with nearly a quarter of us returning from our sunshine breaks more stressed than when we went*. And being hectic, together with eating rich
food and consuming far more alcohol than usual, can wreak havoc on our health and waistlines. But you don’t have to make big lifestyle changes to stay well; these simple, daily tricks are all you need for your happiest and healthiest summer ever.
1 Zap away pain
Bitten or stung? Zap-It! gives off a low electrical impulse to stop itching in an instant. Pack it in your suitcase for holidays. £5.99, Ocado
2 Beat the holiday bloat
Try a daily digestion helper, such as LQ Liquid Health Digestive Care, for 30 days. £29.99, Boots
3 Go drug-free
Allergy Reliever uses red light therapy to help reduce hay fever symptoms. £19.99, Lloyds Pharmacy
4 Test your health
Got 10 mins? Take the How Are You? quiz at nhs.uk/oneyou
5 Drink through a straw
It prevents sugar acids coming into contact with your teeth, which leads to decay. Hate the idea of plastic straws? Go for eco-friendly, washable and reusable Bambaw Natural Bamboo Straws, £11.50 for
12, theplasticfreeshop.co.uk
6 Take a siesta
The Spanish take siestas seriously, and it’s no wonder, since their scientists found that a nap after lunch can reduce stress and improve memory. ‘Just don’t sleep for longer than 30 minutes,’ says wellness coach Angelina Nizzardi. ‘Nap between 12-3pm and it shouldn’t affect your ability to sleep at bedtime.’
7 Read a book
Even those who ‘never have time’ to read are likely to pick up a book on holiday, says Book Trust. They found that those who read books regularly are, on average, happier with life.
8 Eat seasonal fruit and veg
it’s cheaper and contains more nutrients. look out for cherries, peaches, mangetout and watercress.
9 Clear your Clutter
Feel a little freer on holiday? It’s because we have a limited number of possessions. Research from the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute found that too much clutter makes it hard to focus. Do any task that can be done in under a minute: hang up your jacket, skim-read and toss a letter, wipe down a work surface.
10 Forget the full english
However tempting the indulgent hotel buffet is, opt for porridge. ‘Oats can help to keep your energy stable until lunchtime,’ says nutritionist Cassandra Barns.
11 Stay hydrated
the My Water Balance app gives reminders to stay sipping. free, ios
12 Learn a phrase in a foreign language
Even if it’s just ‘thank you’ in Japanese, activating the part of your brain used when learning a second language is an easy way to help to slow the signs of ageing.
13 Map your moles
Take photos of your moles to keep track of any changes, or get the experts to do it for you. From £145, locations across the UK, themoleclinic.co.uk
14 Forget sit-ups
Don’t waste time sweating when the sun is shining. Rising from your sunlounger without using your hands will help to strengthen your core muscles.
15 watch your drink
‘Adopt a no-ice policy overseas,’ says Dr Jane Wilson-Howarth, author of Bugs, Bites & Bowels. ‘It’s the most common cause of travellers’ diarrhoea.’
16 Hug for 10 seconds
Been away and missed your family? Hug them hello. You’ll lower your blood pressure and boost your immune system, says a study in Comprehensive Psychology.
17 Enjoy the outdoors
do something ‘wild’ – listen to birdsong or smell flowers – each day for a month to improve your mental wellbeing**.
18 Fold your pillow in half
Just checked in to a hotel? Place a book on top of a folded pillow and let go. If the pillow throws the book off and springs back, it’s sleep-worthy.
19 Burn cals
Explore a new area by foot. Aim to walk an extra 2,000 steps a day – that’s about 100 calories.
You don’t have to buy expensive tech – use the pre-installed Health app on your iPhone or Google Fit on Android.
20 Boost your immune system
Take Bee Prepared Daily Defence a week before your holiday. £9.99, Boots w&h