Summer is the time for fun outdoors and dinner parties with friends, but don't forget to invest some energy in taking care of your wellbeing. Here are five simple self-care tips courtesy of our AIA Vitality family.
5 experts on how you can prioritise self-care this summer
ARTICLE
27 January 2022
4 mins read
4 mins read
As the weather warms up and life gets busy, some of us can forget to spend time on ourselves. If this sounds like you, read on for some self-care tips from our AIA Vitality Ambassadors.
Keep It Cleaner co-founder Laura Henshaw: soak up the sun (safely) while you exercise
Combining your workouts with some sun time is the perfect way to stay fit and acquire your daily dose of vitamin D – which over 30 per cent1 of Australian adults are deficient in.
"My self-care summer tip is to get outside, enjoy the sun and soak in some vitamin D," says Laura. "Try doing your normal workouts in the sunshine – I love doing my Keep It Cleaner workouts outside. But remember, whenever you're exposing your skin to the sun, slap on some sunscreen or put a hat on.
Summer is also a great time to conduct a skin check. AIA Vitality members can earn points for doing a skin self-exam via the app – just make sure you're logged into your account.
Accredited practising dietitian and nutritionist Marika Day: don't let food be a source of stress
Warmer weather means family, friends and food. With lots of occasions to celebrate over summer, it can be easy to indulge yourself and – as Marika Day explains – that's not necessarily a bad thing.
If you're like me and love food, it’s absolutely okay to indulge," Marika says. "There's no need to be so strict with yourself all the time. It's all about finding the right balance that works for you and your life and feeling comfortable with the decisions you're making."
Endurance athlete Sam Gash: try running mindfully
Did you know you can practice mental self-care while you're on a jog? Mindful running is a technique that connects your mind with your body, allowing you to eliminate distractions and meditate while you run.
"Start by focusing on your breath and your body from head to toe," Sam says. "Don't think of your training objectives or your personal records. Just visualise the connections between your body and mind as you run – it's about you in space. Remember that the purpose of the run is to listen to what your body is trying to tell you."
Diver and Olympian Anabelle Smith: don't forget to stay hydrated
The summer heat means hydration is a top priority. Whenever you head outside, always make sure you have some water on hand.
"Having water nearby is especially important during hot weather, so make sure you've always got plenty with you whenever you head outdoors," Annabelle says.
"My little tip to spice up your boring old water: try popping your favourite fresh or frozen summer fruits into your bottle for some extra vitamins and deliciousness."
Footnotes
¹ https://healthybonesaustralia.org.au/your-bone-health/vitamin-d-bone-health/#:~:text=Vitamin%20D%20deficiency%20is%20common,bone%20fracture%20in%20older%20people
Staff Writer
Staff writers come from a range of backgrounds including health, wellbeing, music, tech, culture and the arts. They spend their time researching the latest data and trends in the health market to deliver up-to-date information, helping everyday Australians live healthier lives. This is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances. The information in this article is general information only and is not intended as medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstance
Disclaimer:
This is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a financial adviser, or medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.
This is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a financial adviser, or medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.
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