Numerous
research papers
have found that being
out in nature reduces
stress and depression and increases
our sense of well-being. And,
according to a joint UK and
Australian study, a 30-minute dose of
nature a week can result in lower
blood pressure too.
Get active
The better weather is a great
motivating factor for getting more
exercise. Whether it’s walking,
cycling, swimming in the sea or
throwing a frisbee, you’ll be getting
fitter. Often, arthritis is less painful
in the summer, making it easier for
sufferers to get active.
Be more sociable
When the weather’s good, there’s a
much greater incentive to go out and
meet people. Having an active social
life has a whole range of advantages:
it can improve your mood, boost your
immune system,
help you live
longer and may
even reduce your
risk of dementia.Unwind on holiday
There’s good evidence that taking
time out to relax is good for your
mental health. It could even prolong
your life. A Finnish study of middle-
aged male executives at risk of heart
disease found that those who took
three weeks or less annual vacation
had a 37 per cent higher chance of
dying than those who took more.Eat fresh food
This is the season of fresh fruit,
vegetables and salads, which are
ideal for the lighter meals we often
prefer in the summer. This makes it
so much easier to get our five a day,
which provide us with dietary
necessities such as vitamins C and
A, folate, fibre and potassium. And
they’re low in calories too. nJULY 2019 • 49