There’s nothing like a warm, sunny day to brighten our mood and give us a boost of optimism. And after the spring we’ve had, we couldn’t be more ready for it. We are all looking for ways to feel our best in a time of uncertainty and social distancing, and fortunately the summer season delivers in fun, flavour, and fair weather. So let’s put beach body aspirations on the back burner, and focus on some feel-good summer fun that will keep us healthy, body and mind.
5 ways to stay happy and healthy this summer:
1. Cook with fresh food. This applies all year long, but it is easier to do in the summer: farmers markets are open, personal or community gardens are in full bloom, and local food prices are lower. Enjoy wandering through your local farmers’ market, picking up some favourites and discovering something new to try. Up your odds of eating fresh by rinsing, chopping and storing some of your fresh fruits and veggies when you get home so they’re on hand, ready to go.
2. Stay cool with cold brews. Have you ever tried making cold brew tea or coffee? It’s easy! Put your favourite tea, herbal tea or ground coffee in water overnight in the fridge, and wake up to iced tea or cold brew coffee the next morning. You’ll get a refreshing beverage without bitterness. By making it yourself, you can hand pick your flavours, skip the sugar in commercial iced teas and coffees, and make a pitcher full for the whole family.
3. Discover new dishes. Your hopes to vacation abroad this year may be dashed, but you can still
savour the opportunity to explore different cultures and cuisines from your very own kitchen. Take your taste buds on a tour by whipping up some Thai or Moroccan recipes one week, Greek or Lebanese the next. It will be fun to “travel” around the world through new ingredients, flavours, spices and aromas, and you may even discover some new family favourites.
4. Try intuitive eating. Intuitive eating is a new way to look at food that will liberate you from diet culture and weight obsession. You can say goodbye to rules, constraints or schedule surrounding eating and say hello to mindfulness, satisfaction, and gentle nutrition. The ten principles established by
Registered Dietitians Evelyn Tribole and Elyse Resch will lead you through a journey to improve your relationship with food. Why not give it a go this summer?
5. Find movements that make you happy. Exercising has so many benefits, it is among the best habits you can adopt for your wellbeing. Being physically active improves your mood, your sleep quality, and your overall health, but that doesn’t mean you have to join a gym to reap these benefits. Physical activity includes a broad range of activities beyond running on a treadmill and lifting weights. It can be
gardening, playing with your kids, swimming, or dancing. Find activities that bring you joy, and make movement a part of every day.
If you want one-on-one support to improve your well-being and health this summer, speak with your Registered Dietitian for more healthy tips, and personalized advice.
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