1. Take a trip
Travelling to new places allows us to disconnect from our everyday, mundane routines and expose ourselves to new people and cultures. Choose a weekend or book some time off, hit the road and explore a new place. You’ll feel all the better for it – mentally and physically healthier – after taking some time out to clear and engage your mind.
If you don’t get a chance to escape to the sun this year (or even enjoy some Irish sun), it is important that you still get your sufficient Vitamin D intake. Call into your local CarePlus Pharmacy and ask our friendly Pharmacists about Vitamin D supplements.
2. Boost your berry intake
If you do one thing this summer to improve your diet, make sure you have a cup of mixed fresh berries -- blackberries, blueberries, or strawberries -- every day. Berries help you load up on antioxidants (especially blueberries and blackberries), which can help prevent damage to tissues in the body and reduce the risks of age-related illnesses.
3. Get outside to exercise
Pick one outdoor activity -- going on a hike, taking a nature walk, playing tag with your kids or cycling -- to avoid that cooped-up feeling of gym workouts when the weather is good.
Before breakfast, in the time it takes to scroll through Instagram, you could have your limbs stretched your heart rate pumping. You'll feel better throughout the day and eat healthier. When we feel bad or lethargic, we reach for the comfort of a sweet treat. Feeling energized, you are more likely to order a healthier option.
If you suffer from hay fever and the thoughts of going outdoors make you shudder, we have some great offers in store on allergy products to ease your symptoms and allow you to enjoy the outdoors this Summer.
4. Walk
If you are on holidays - walk (skip the Segway tour). Unless you have an injury, illness, or disability, it’s important to get off the contraption and move your legs.
If walking isn’t your cup of tea, why not ride a bike? Lots of European cities have great bike share schemes that make it easy to rent and return. Plus, being on foot lets you get better photos, stop at landmarks, discover local cafes, shops and ramble down charming side streets.
If you have problems with your ankles or knees when walking long distances and need additional support, ask your CarePlus Pharmacist about our ankle and knee supports in store.
5. Protect your peepers
To protect your eyes at work and at play, wear protective eyewear. When outdoors, wear sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Sunglasses can help prevent cataracts, eye cancers, as well as wrinkles around the eyes and many other eye conditions, provided they have the CE mark of approval.
Check out our CE approved sunglasses range in selected CarePlus Pharmacies.
6. Snooze, don’t lose
Resist the urge to stay up later during long summer days. Instead pay attention to good sleep hygiene by keeping the same bedtime and wake-up schedule and not drinking alcohol within three hours of bedtime.
If you are travelling, late nights combined with early morning sight-seeing tours make for an exhausting week. Schedule a few mornings of guilt-free snoozing to pay back your sleep debt.
7. Hydrate
In some countries, it's hard to stay on top of your water consumption since tap water isn't readily available or commonly offered. If you've ever been out walking in the heat all day and noticed your fingers stiffening and swelling, then you you’ve experienced dehydration. buy a cheap big bottle and little bottle at a market. Refill the small from the large before going out to walk the city all day.
For some extra help staying hydrated in the heat, pop in to your local CarePlus Pharmacy before you go away and pick up some ORS Rehydration Tablets.
8. Protect
A few days of tanned skin aren’t worth the future threat of skin cancer. Use a sunscreen with both UVA & UVB protection – these may alternatively be labelled as “multi-spectrum,” “broad-spectrum.” The minimum recommendation is SPF30 or above.
Pop into your local CarePlus Pharmacy for some amazing offers on Nivea, La Roche Posay and P20 sunscreens.
