Summer Health Tips That Work: Easy Ways To Prevent Bug Bites, Sunburn and More
These are guaranteed to make this summer the healthiest one yet
It’s the season for enjoying lakeside picnics and backyard barbecues with all your favorite people. And a few simple summer health tips let you soak up every moment of the fun without bothersome issues like bloat, bug bites or sunburn getting in the way.
Block bloat with mint lemonade
The trendy sip is more than just delicious. When teamed up, fresh mint leaves and lemon juice battle bloat, letting you enjoy your favorite summer comfort foods without post-picnic regrets. According to a study in the International Medical Journal, lemon relaxes muscles in the intestines, easing digestion. And natural oils in mint reduce painful gas and bloat, suggests University of South Alabama research.
Dodge mosquitos with this color combo
Want to be invisible to mosquitoes at your next BBQ? Choose an outfit in purple, green or white—or a mix of all three! University of Washington researchers found that while mosquitoes tend to ignore people wearing these shades, they home in on anyone wearing red, orange and black, which their retinas interpret as a sign of human skin. Still wound up with a bite after following this smart summer health tip? Taking an antihistamine like Zyrtec or Claritin blocks histamine, the chemical responsible for itching and inflammation, shows a study in Emergency Medicine Journal.
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Prevent sunburn with frozen grapes
Alongside applying sunscreen, munching on a few handfuls of grapes each day may help shield your skin from sun damage, suggests a study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. The fruit is rich in polyphenols, compounds that defend against UV radiation. In fact, researchers found that when participants consumed the equivalent of about 21⁄4 cups of grapes per day for two weeks, their skin’s resistance to sunburn increased by nearly 75 percent. Tip: Grapes taste even better when frozen!
Ward off viruses with a quick mist
Before heading into a rest stop or a packed get-together, give your sinuses an extra layer of protection against airborne viruses with a mist of a xylitol and grapefruit seed extract (GSE) nasal spray. Microbes have trouble sticking to xylitol, a natural plant sugar, per research in Cureus. Lining your sinuses with a spray may reduce microbes’ ability to take hold and overwhelm your system. Plus, GSE has natural antibacterial and antiviral properties. Try: Xlear Nasal Spray.
Nix carsickness with hand sanitizer
If a bumpy drive leaves your stomach uneasy, taking a whiff of hand sanitizer is a smart summer health tip that actually works. A Georgetown University study suggests it may relieve nausea better than prescription anti-nausea drugs. The scent of isopropyl alcohol redirects your brain’s focus from sights and sounds that throw off your sense of equilibrium, bringing quick relief.
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