They don’t call them the dog days of summer for nothing! When it’s hot and humid outside, all you want to do is lay back and relax — even when you should be doing something else. These long, languid days are a great way to unwind, but if you’ve got things to do and places to be, it can be difficult to muster up the energy to get going. Your body is working hard to keep you cool and comfortable, which can drain your energy levels and make you feel lazy and sleepy.
If you need help increasing your energy or motivation on the hottest days of summer, discover these helpful tips to get you started.
Drink a full glass of water.
Sometimes, kickstarting your energy can be as simple as reaching for a glass of water. Hydration is essential on hot, sunny days and drinking a full 8 ounce serving of water can shift your mindset and give you a quick boost. Fill your cup with cold water and add ice, lemon, cucumber, mint — whatever gets you to drink the full glass!
Eat smaller, lighter meals.
When the temps are high, your go-to meals can feel heavy and difficult to digest. Swap them out for light, fresh flavors and opt for smaller portions more frequently throughout the day. Think celery and peanut butter, apples and cheese, watermelon, smoothies packed with fruits and veggies, and summer salads filled with in-season produce. (We think Red Beet Feta Salad is a fabulous choice!) When it’s hot outside, your metabolism tends to slow down as your body isn’t working as hard to keep you warm, so small, nutritionally-dense meals are a great way to fuel it. You’ll be feeding your body with energy-supporting nutrients and treating your tastebuds to summer-ready flavors. For a high-powered snack you can enjoy any time of day, check out our Red Beet Energy Balls recipe.
Get wet.
Even if you don’t have a pool or a body of water handy, a quick dip in water can instantly wake up your senses and help you cool off. Take a cool shower or soak your feet in cool water. Run cold water across your wrists or splash your face instead. A hydrosol face mist of water and your favorite essential oil can be a great pick-me-up; store it in the fridge for a cool spritz. Grab an ice cube and apply it to your pulse points for an instant chill and wake up call.
Break a sweat.
You don’t need to run a marathon — or even a mile. Simply getting a little exercise can boost your energy in a big way. Try a 10-minute YouTube workout, take a walk on your lunch break at the office, hop on your bike and get the breeze going, or do a quick yoga flow in front of the fan. Just make sure to stay hydrated and stop if you feel like you’re overdoing it.
Take a supplement.
If your energy levels need extra support, you may have low iron. Talk to your physician and consider incorporating Floradix Iron + Herbs Liquid Herbal Supplement into your routine. This vegan liquid is made with nutritional iron, vitamin C, B-vitamins, and herbal extracts to help support daily energy and make you feel invigorated and ready for the day.*
Enjoy it!
Conquering the heat is harder when you’re constantly complaining. Can you reframe the way you look at humidity or high temperatures? If you approach the sticky, sweaty days with a positive attitude, you may find they’re easier to navigate. Instead of complaining, give thanks for the sunshine (and its vitamin D!) or appreciate how beautiful the trees and flowers look. If you live somewhere with cold, snowy winters, think back to your cold weather fatigue and remember how excited you were for the first warm days of summer.