The health benefits of staying active this summer may come as no surprise. Walking, running, biking, swimming and other summertime sports are effective ways to manage your stress, boost energy, mood and improve overall wellbeing. Perhaps most importantly, regular activity will also lower your risk of diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, stress and contribute to a more robust immune system.

Most of us don’t give much thought to our immune system during the summer months. But, keeping a healthy immune system year-round is key to your ‘healthspan’ (living longer in the best of health).

Healthspan: living longer in the best of health

Like most things in life, consistent follow through to maintain an active and fit lifestyle can be a challenge and building a routine can create results and sustain positive change. Here are some of my favourite ways to stay healthy and active this summer:

Supplement your summer diet

The B vitamins are in greater demand in the summer as they are required for energy production in the body and are very easily lost via perspiration. To maintain optimal levels, supplement these vitamins when you’re more active.

Vitamin D3 supplementation is as important in the summer as it is in the winter months because most of us cover up with sunblock which perpetuates a systemic vit-d3 deficiency all year long.

Supplementing these vitamins can be a good idea especially when you’re more active because it turns out that periods of intensified training may result in a temporary state of immune depression. One of my favourite natural health supplements that you can take is COLD-FX®. COLD-FX® Daily Support helps to increase production of certain types of cytokines that may signal and activate the immune system in high performing athletes.

Share your active lifestyle

Sharing your active summertime lifestyle on social media – with friends and family – can help create a powerful support system and give you new ideas on how to keep active. From a psychological perspective, sharing what you’re doing helps keep you on track.

Whenever possible, create a routine that involves a “buddy” who has similar goals. This will help you stay accountable during the ever-so distracting patio season.

Keep it real

Your January new year, new you goals may not have become the reality you’d hoped.  The summertime is a great place to pick them up. But, set realistic goals by starting small. If your goal is to be active most days of the week, start with taking a brisk walk 30 minutes a day, five days a week and gradually building up to a 45-minute run or bike ride. In addition, add in your favourite summertime activities two to three times a week – even a game of frisbee can bring your heart rate up!

There will always be things that come up that work to set you back from your preferred active routine. The key is to not get discouraged and have a plan b. Summertime brings with it good weather on average, but if it’s pouring rain outside, tap into plan b and find a mall to walk in.  Or, take the stairs whenever you can. Reflect often and learn from what set you off track so you can plan around it moving forward.

Good luck!

Bryce Wylde