The summer weather is well on its way, and for many people this means taking a much-needed break and relaxing in the heat and sunshine. As appealing as it sounds, this weather can wreak havoc on our body through harmful UV rays, dehydration, and overexposure to saltwater and chlorine just to name a few.
Luckily, the summer season is what I like to call “fruit and salad weatherâ€, bringing with it nutritious super-foods such as strawberries, raspberries and tomatoes – all rich in powerful antioxidants and vitamins to help fight back and protect against damage caused by the sun. As the weather warms up, try the following tips to make sure you keep your skin looking its best and your energy levels up.
STAY HYDRATED:
With temperature and humidity levels rising, our body reacts by sweating more to keep us cool. This can result in dehydration and a loss of important vitamins and minerals our bodies need to function properly. Aim to drink 2-3 litres of water a day or more if you plan on exercising or lying in the sun.
Keeping your water intake up will also help to flush toxins from your body, keep your energy levels up as well as keep your skin looking clear and moisturised.
EAT COLOURED FRUITS AND VEGETABLES:
Including coloured fruits and vegetables in your diet has a huge and visible impact on the largest organ of your body – your skin. Fruits and vegetables such as berries, tomatoes, carrots and dark leafy greens are all rich in vitamin C and A – powerful antioxidants essential for healthy skin and protecting against free radical damage.
Aim to have at least 3 different colours of the rainbow on your plate at every meal and include berries and other colourful fruits in smoothies for extra hydration and nutrition.
KEEP YOUR ELECTROLYTE LEVELS UP:
The body needs essential minerals such as potassium, calcium, sodium and magnesium to keep functioning optimally. An electrolyte imbalance can occur through sweat loss, dehydration and alcohol consumption, so be sure to increase your water intake, drink responsibly, and include foods such as bananas, spinach, raisins, and avocado in your diet to help replenish electrolytes lost.
INCLUDE HEALTHY FATS:
Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids are essential in the diet and are critical for healthy skin and development of cells. Including foods such as avocado, olive oil, fish, nuts and seeds will help to keep your complexion clear and glowing and furthermore may slow down the aging process. Alternatively, include a high quality fish or flaxseed oil supplement in your diet to boost your healthy fats.
TRY A HOMEMADE FACEMASK:
Store bought moisturisers and facemasks can have a lot of unwanted chemicals in them that may do more harm than good. Give your skin some natural after sun care by moisturising with virgin coconut oil and apply a facemask made with avocado, banana and manuka honey.
Try these tips this summer to keep your skin healthy, and don’t forget to slip, slop, slap!
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