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13 Tips For Staying Healthy and Green This Summer
Photo by jess foami
Summer has finally arrived! It’s time to dig out those bikinis, prepare for a holiday trip and a well-deserved rest at the beach. It means free time to spend with the family, go on vacations, have some barbecues in the garden and go on trips to the local zoo with many more places to visit.
I'm not so certain of how your summer vacation might look or how you feel about being more Eco-friendly. However, for many of us, summer also brings ice-cream temptations, exaggerating your tan and forgetting summer dieting and exercise. All these could impact adversely on your health and the environment if not handled in the right way. So let’s gear up as we navigate through some tips to keep us healthy and green during the summer.
1. Stepping Light
Find local activities with little impact on the environment, such as a trip to the local park, forests, zoos, ball games or beach with friends to relax. Time spent with friends and family can be a great way to keep up and have fun. The choice of a new book that you want to read while resting on the bridge is another great way to spend time and leave a smaller footprint. Deathly Hallows should keep you busy for a while after leaving the city.
2. Keep it fresh and easy
The air conditioning can provide a much-needed break from the heat and can make hot nights bearable, but be sensitive to overuse. Turning the thermostat a few degrees into your air conditioner is a great way to save a lot of money and at the same time make the planet a more relaxed place.
3. Stay at the top of the grid
Do you like barbecue? Propane burns much cleaner than charcoal or wood briquettes. If you cannot resist charcoal, try a natural product like those produced by Cowboy Charcoal, much more honest than your traditional briquettes. Of course, when you finish cooking on the grill, use Eco-friendly detergents, to keep the summer as free of chemicals as possible. The tests show that it is resistant to the dirt of traditional cleaning products, but does not let the chemical residues penetrate into the next hamburger or grilled tomato. Also, if you want to give your neighbors something to gossip about, you can try solar energy.
4. Consider the local rodeo
Buy food locally. Farmer's markets are the excellent place to shop and make sure that the vegetables that are grilled or mixed in a salad have not traveled thousands of miles to get to the plate. This reduces the use of fossil fuels, which significantly lowers pollution levels and the depletion of resources compared to the typical tomato purchased at the local supermarket.
5. The special green card
Use reusable plates instead of plastic or polystyrene. If it is necessary to use disposable products, be sure to collect the compostable varieties in advance to place them in the compost container at the end.
6. Green Bikini
You do not have to go so far as to wear a biodegradable or solar bikini to make your summer accessories more sustainable. Look for eco-friendly products to make up your swimwear, sandals and towels. Everyone is one step in the right direction, and you may fall in love with a product or style that you would never know existed.
7. Eco-friendly charging
Choose a solar backpack or a device to take with you on one-day trips. So whether you're on the beach or traveling, you can run and recharge a wide range of portable solar powered devices. Save a dollar by cutting off the electricity company and giving your solar energy the energy it deserves.
8. No poison, please
Do you remember those indifferent days of running the DDT truck while spraying happy people in the city and chilling all the bugs? Well, now we're a bit smarter, so use products like the garlic barrier to protect you from mosquitoes. Traditional products certainly do their job, but they could end up turning your garden into a deadly trap for any other kind of living thing that passes from there. This means that birds, butterflies, ladybugs and even the family dog receive an inadequate dose. Not to mention himself, the children of the neighbors and even his spoiled nephew who lives in the neighborhood. Be sure to apply it when you think it will not rain for several days.
9. Wet and wise
Water consumption is a big problem and the summer season of drought can complicate things. Be sure to observe what you are using, water the plants only when necessary, and it will take a few minutes to install a low flow shower head. These are simple steps that can make a big difference.
10. The greenest way
Do you have to travel long distances to reach your dream destination this summer? Consider doing it by road or rail, rather than by air, but be sure to offset carbon emissions, regardless of the mode of transport chosen.
11. Sunscreen
This has little need to be explained, but must always be emphasized. Some days of tanning are not worth a whole life of wrinkles or fear of skin cancer. Search for sunscreens with UVA and UVB protection. The blockage of UVB can prevent combustion (which indicates the number of SPF), but the UVA rays still emit radiation that damages the skin (and are not classified). Regulators in Australia and Europe have SPF limited to more than 50, because also, extra protection is minimal and in practice, you are buying a marketing ploy. The United States did not follow suit, of course. When you select one, buy at least SPF 30+. Sunscreens with UVA and UVB protection can be labeled with more spectrum, broad-spectrum or UVA / UVB protection.
12. Light diet
In summer, it is also important to bring light and healthy foods to stay healthy. Light cooking is acceptable and green leafy vegetables are essential for health. Avoid fried and spicy foods as they reduce the digestive process and affect the skin. Eat fruits that are the rich source of water, such as watermelon, green coconut, lemon, etc. Always eat to a limited extent, so you never feel sick or nurtured. Reduce tea or coffee intake as it leads to water loss and urination increases. Avoid alcohol and cigarettes as much as possible. It affects the stomach and the skin.
13. Drink a lot of water
During the hot summer months, heat and sweat can leave your body dehydrated. Lack of water is harmful to your body and can also make you crave food when you're not hungry. It is vital to stay hydrated by taking at least eight to nine glasses of water a day. Bored with water? Add a little “low-calorie flavor” to water, such as a fruit, or opt for healthy alternatives such as green tea or coconut water..
Given all the tips and tricks offered here, you can enjoy your summer without degrading the environment or putting your health at risk. All of these tips can help you stay calm during the hot summer season without using too much energy.
by Sapphire
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