5 Things You Can Do Right Now To Stay Healthy This Summer

More people are taking time to consider how they feel, both physically and emotionally, than ever before. Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do to positively impact your health. If you are looking to make this summer your healthiest one yet, these five tips can help get you started on the right foot. 

1. Change How You Think About Food

What you eat plays a major role in how you feel. When you consistently load up on foods high in fat, sugar and empty calories, your health is bound to suffer. Unfortunately, those are often the most convenient and affordable options, making them the first choice for many people when hunger strikes. It definitely pays to look into healthier options, such as fruits, vegetables and lean meats. It's one thing to know what you should be eating and another altogether to actually create new habits. Excessive snacking or mindless eating to combat boredom can quickly derail even the best intentions. There are plenty of safe and effective products on the market to help control your appetite. Thrive side effects are generally reported as minimal and you may find that it provides enough support to help you reshape your relationship with food. 

2. Schedule Routine Medical Appointments

You take children to the doctor for check-ups and immunizations without thinking twice, but most adults view the doctor's office as someplace they only visit when they are sick or injured. That makes it far too easy to skip that annual physical, which can be a huge mistake. Regular exams help spot potential problems early so you can take action before they affect your quality of life. They are also a good time to schedule routine tests and screenings. Depending on various factors such as age and medical history, you may be due for annual tests, such as:

• Prostate cancer screening
• Skin cancer screening
• Mammogram
• Cholesterol and lipid panel check
• Blood sugar or A1C Testing

3. Get 8 Hours of Sleep Every Night

Experts recommend that adults aim to get between seven and nine hours of sleep every night for the best health benefits. While you may view sleep as wasted or empty time, your body is actually quite busy at night. It stabilizes chemical levels in the bloodstream, regulates hormone production and repairs damage that was done during the day. 

Getting eight hours of sleep a night may seem completely impossible, but it all comes down to priorities. So, how do you set yourself up for success? Try eliminating or reducing screen time for an hour or so before you go to bed. Create an atmosphere that is conducive to sleeping by removing any lights from your bedroom and lowering the temperature by several degrees. The cooler air lets your body know that it's time for bed. 

4. Find New Activities You Enjoy

Maybe you've always wanted to learn how to play an instrument or the idea of paragliding gets your adrenaline pumping. No matter what it is, having a hobby or two is a great outlet for excess energy and creativity. It can also help you grow as a person both emotionally and physically. Resist the urge to limit yourself to things you already know about. The internet makes it easy to find basic information about a wide variety of hobbies, so you can explore several different things to find a good fit. Experiment a little and you might be surprised at what you find enjoyable.

5. Spend Time With Friends

The relationships you have with friends and acquaintances are key to your overall health. Numerous studies show that people who have strong, healthy social connections report better markers of physical and emotional health. Capitalize on this easy way to a healthier lifestyle by scheduling regular meetups with friends. What you do together isn't as important as developing your connection; grab a cup of coffee, meet for a walk at lunch, or catch up over video chat if you can't meet in person. From spending time with friends to prioritizing sleep and getting routine medical care, you have a lot of control over how healthy you are this summer.