How to find your summer mojo

How to find your summer mojo

Feeling flat ahead of the silly season, get a boost by changing up your routine, here’s how…

Before we know it summer will be on our doorstep with its long, warm days and balmy nights. If you are less than enthusiastic about the new season ahead, here are a few ways to help you find your summer mojo:

Challenge yourself

The longer daylight hours means it easy to find time to get outside and get active. If exercise doesn’t come naturally to you, now is the time to try some different activities that may be a little out of your comfort zone. Go for an evening dip at the beach or local pool, dance at an outdoor festival or wander through a national park.

Research by The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry shows that there are many benefits to mental and physical well-being from taking exercise in the natural environment including increased energy and decreased tension. So, find an activity you enjoy and get moving.

If you have been sticking to a regular exercise regime don’t let it slip in the summer, even on holidays. Carly Ryan, exercise physiologist from Exercise & Sports Science Australia, recommends sticking with your regular exercise routine right up until you go on leave. Once you’re on holiday, buy a cheap pedometer and do at least 10,000 steps a day.

Fresh & fabulous

There’s a bounty of seasonal fruits and vegetables available at this time of year that don’t require much cooking, taste fabulous and are good for your health and waistline. Flavoursome tomatoes, sweet corn, fresh herbs and ripe avocadoes all allow for a fresh and simple summer menu.

Need inspiration? Go to our recipe section for some simple and easy summer dishes.

Take a proper break

Whether it’s a holiday away or a staycation at home, an annual break from your everyday life is important for your mental and physical health. A recent study by the European Society of Cardiology showed that taking vacations can also prolong your life. And taking off a day or two to catch up on your Christmas shopping isn’t a holiday.

A study conducted by the University of Tampere in Finland suggests that between 8 and 11 days is the perfect amount of time to achieve the maximum amount of relaxation and happiness without growing bored or homesick. Short breaks like the weekend aren’t long enough to reap the benefits of time off, and after 11 days of vacation the positive feelings start to decrease.

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