Carve Out Some “Me” Time this Summer By Ayelet Connell-Giammatteo, PhD, PT, IMT,C I
love summer! There’s really nothing like it. For many of us, our schedules don’t change drastically during the summer season. If we have school aged children, they may be in camps or at home with a sitter or family member, but many of us still need to work. And some of us may have the benefit of some summer holiday. Regardless of whether we work outside of the home or not, it’s helpful to find balance in our sum- mer schedule.
The idea that summer is a season of
free time is wonderful in theory. But in reality, often, we get caught up with too many planned events. One challenge is the back and forth transporting of our kids. But equally challenging is the management of a healthy diet at all of these different events for us and our family. In summertime, we have incredible access to beautiful fresh fruits and vegetables. Again, in theory, it’s easy to maintain a diet of healthy foods during this season. But in actuality, many of us find it difficult to get enough healthy foods into our daily diet because we get so busy.
The solution is pretty simple and can be implemented in any season. Eat fresh foods! Avoid processed and packaged foods. This
means that if you know you’re going to be out and about for the day, be sure to carry enough fruit and vegetables (and water!) to last you through the day. For protein, you can carry some sources of protein that will be stable in warm temperatures like natural jerky or nuts and seeds. Success with staying healthy and balanced during the busy sum- mer season can be found in keeping things simple.
Here are some suggestions: 1. Eat fresh fruits and vegetables! Grab one of your family ‘lunch bags’ and fill it up in the morning or night before with some of these foods: apple slices or celery/ carrot sticks and nut butter, natural jerky, nuts and seeds with some dried fruit, gluten free whole grain crackers with hummus.
2. Make sure to have a healthy breakfast to carry you through the morning and give you lots of energy. Here are some ideas: eggs with sliced cucumber and tomatoes or avocado with lemon juice/sea salt/ olive oil drizzled over the vegetables; morning protein smoothie with frozen berries and/or half of a banana, nut/seed butter, greens and other vegetables, and some coconut oil (you can also use a
protein powder); gluten free turkey or chicken sausage (some great options at Trader Joe’s) with some sliced fresh veg- etables on the side.
3. Drink lots of water throughout the day. If you prefer some type of flavor, you can add some lemon wedges to your water bottle as you leave the house (slice a lemon and leave covered in the fridge so you can grab and go!). Water is essential to maintain a healthy body during the hot summer months. Dehydration can cause lots of symptoms and often we don’t even realize that a lack of water is the cause!
In addition to a healthy diet during the summer season, it’s helpful to also consider how to balance our lives with a ‘gentle schedule’. These beautiful warm months are perfect for carving out some regular ‘me’ time and taking a brisk walk in the morning or a leisurely stroll through the park in the evening with our family. Movement is vital to a healthy body. Making sure we find time to be outside in the fresh air makes it easier to be indoors when we’re working during the day! If the strong heat bothers you, make sure to limit your walks and outdoor time to the early morning and evening time as the sun is not at its peak for the day.
In many towns, there are regular music offerings outside through the sum- mer months. In West Hartford, there is the Elizabeth Park music series as well as regular music offered in Blueback Square. In Bloomfield, there is also regular music offered through the summer on the town green. Most towns offer something of this nature—you can find out about these types of events on most town websites. Usually, the music is offered in the evening time which is a great time to enjoy the fresh out- doors with your family and friends while not baking under the sun!
16 Natural Nutmeg - July/August 2016
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