Taking Better Care of Your Body this Summer

Posted On: Apr 30, 2021

Having a Happy & Healthy Summer

With summer time just around the corner, that means you want to not only look your best but feel your best too. The health experts at Parrish Healthcare are here to share some tips to help you to get your body summer-ready and summer-healthy!

Eat Seasonal Produce

With warmer weather upon us, that means there are plenty of fruits and vegetables that are coming into season! By eating a diet chock full of season produce, you’re getting fresher produce with a higher nutritional value without unnecessary preservatives and additives.

If you’re looking to build a well-rounded diet, here are some seasonal fruits and veggies to add to your shopping cart this summer:

Apples
Bananas
Carrots
Beets
Blueberries
Blackberries
Eggplant
Okra
Mangoes
Summer squash
Zucchini
Watermelon
Cantaloupe
Celery
Green beans
Corn
Cucumbers
Strawberries
Bell peppers

Look After Your Skin Health

Your skin works hard to keep your body safe from infection and various diseases, but your skin needs protection too—especially from the sun’s harmful rays. When your skin is exposed to high amounts of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays or even UV tanning beds, it can lead to damage to the DNA within your skin cells, resulting in skin cancer. This makes it essential for you to take proper care of your skin.

Wear Sunscreen Regularly

It is recommended that you wear sunscreen every day, even when the weather is cloudy or cold. Apply your sunscreen 30 minutes before leaving the house to allow it to properly bind to your skin to provide you with adequate protection.

When picking out your sunscreen, be sure that it meets the following criteria:

It is labeled as being “broad-spectrum.”
Has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.
Is water resistant.

Use Additional Protection

While wearing sunscreen can help to promote healthy skin, there are other things you can do to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Here are a few extra tips to help keep your skin as healthy as possible:

Avoid UV light tanning beds.
Wear a brimmed hat.
Wear sunglasses with UV ray protection.
Wear protective clothing.

Perform Routine Self Skin Checks

Like most forms of cancer, early detection is an integral factor when it comes with the success of treatment. In order to catch skin cancer early on, it’s important to perform routine self-skin checks and to go out for the ABCDEs of skin cancer:

Asymmetrical moles and spots on your skin.
Moles with an irregularly shaped or jagged border.
Abnormalities may vary in color. They may be black, blue, dark brown, tan, or white and may be uneven.
Moles with a diameter larger than the size of a pea.
Spots that evolve or change in size, shape, or color over time.

If you notice any of these changes in your skin or have a spot that is concerning to you, be sure to speak with your doctor about what it may be.

Keep Seasonal Asthma Triggers in Check

If you have asthma, you know that the summer months can be particularly brutal when it comes to environmental factors that can bring on an attack. Fortunately, there are plenty of things that you can do to keep irritants to a minimum and lower your risk of experiencing asthma symptoms.

Try the following tips to help you breathe easier this summer:

Wash your bedding every week.
Vacuum carpets weekly.
Use a dehumidifier in your bedroom and common areas.
Use mattress and pillow covers.
Use an allergen-proof pillow cover.
Keep your pet off of your furniture.
Bathe your pet regularly.
Vacuum regularly.
Use an air purifier in your home.
Pay attention to the pollen count in your local weather forecast.
Keep windows closed when you can.
Change your clothes when coming into the house.
Wash your hands often.
Wash your clothes more often.
Seek treatment to reduce symptoms.

Taking Care of Your Mental Health

While we often focus on supporting our physical health, your emotional wellness is important to your overall wellbeing too! Here are some tips to help you to feel your best this summer

Try Journaling

While keeping a diary or journal may be something you’ve done in your teen years, writing out your inner thoughts and feelings is actually beneficial to your mental and emotional health. It gives you an opportunity to openly express yourself without censorship or the fear of judgment.

Confide in Someone You Trust

Another great way to have an emotional release is to talk to someone that you can trust. Whether you decide to talk to a long-time friend, a family member, or even a mentor—talking through your thoughts and feelings can leave you feeling more at ease.

Find a Hobby You Enjoy

Along with being a great way to spend your free time, finding a hobby that you love can help to support your mental health too. Having hobbies can help you to manage your stress levels while also helping you to build your self-confidence and meet new people.

Stay Active

Not only does leading an active lifestyle help to support your physical health, it also helps to support your mental health and wellness. Leading an active lifestyle can help you to improve and regulate your mood and helps you to build your self-esteem as well.

Seek Help When You Need it

Although there are many ways that you can work toward supporting your mental health and wellness each day, you may still find that your mental health is suffering. If you feel that you can benefit from additional support, reach out to your primary care doctor to discuss what options are available to help you to feel better.

Primary Care in Titusville

When it comes to supporting your health, it is important to find a family care doctor you can trust. The family doctors at Parrish Medical Group Family Medicine treat patients throughout all stages of your life, providing you with the insight, resources and preventative care you need to live happily and healthily.

Whether you’re in need of a regular check-up or you have a health concern, contact Parrish Medical Group Family Medicine at 321-268-6111 to schedule your next visit.