13 Hot Weather Wellness Hacks

Don’t get us wrong, we love soaking in the summer sun. Between the perfect weather, brain-boosting benefits of vitamin D, and a healthy summer glow, there are so many reasons to love the season of sunshine. But, as we roll into the thick of the summer heat, having ways to keep your cool is essential! So, to keep you cool, calm, and collected, now is a great opportunity to prep for the hot months ahead with some hot weather wellness hacks. And if you’re anything like us, and one of your intentions this summer is either maintaining or supercharging your health, then soaking in these simple summer tips will be a breeze!

13 Summer Wellness Hacks

Remember: slow and steady changes lead to long-lasting results! Start by choosing the below tips that resonate most with you. From there, create a follow-through plan. (Drink one extra glass of water per day, plan ways to manage stress, etc.) Add as you go, and before you know it, you’ll have a full wellness routine to support you through the hot season ahead!

#1 Support Mental Wellness

Supporting your mental health can hugely (and positively!) impact your physical health, which is why it’s an essential part of any summer routine. This is especially important during the summer season, some of the busiest months of the year! To prevent burnout, try on different self-care and wellness activities until you find what works best for you. This could be meditation and deep breathing, yoga or long morning walks or relaxing in the shade with a good book.

Since meditation is one of those simple-to-implement activities that does wonders for your health, why not give it a try? Browse the FitOn meditation category for free meditations that you can incorporate into your self-care routine.

Here are some new FitOn meditations to inspire you:

10 Breaths to Manage Stress with DeAndre Sinette
Present Moment Awareness with Rachel Ruth
Third Eye Opening with Rachel Ruth

#2 Plan Out Your Travels For Success

We all want to both enjoy our vacation AND come back feeling accomplished and confident. So set your travels up for healthy success! Plan out where you’ll do your workouts, book in a massage treatment, or pack some whole food-based snacks.

Need some help packing? Here are some must-haves in our travel bag:

To make sure you’re fully prepped, these 13 Simple Tips to Stay on Track When Traveling are here to help!

#3 Be Mindful of Alcohol Consumption

Yep, alcohol and the hot sun don’t mix well. Too much alcohol, especially when it’s warmer outside, can easily lead to dehydration. But, good news – you can have the best of both worlds: a hydrating cocktail! Like any cocktail, you’ll want to limit your consumption and be mindful to hydrate. But, if you’re going to enjoy yourself, this Paleo margarita (packed with electrolyte-filled coconut water) is the way to go.

Paleo Mango Margarita

Serves: 3-4

Ingredients:

4 cups frozen mango
2 – 2 ½ limes, freshly juiced
½ cup raw coconut water
6 oz tequila
3 oz triple sec (optional)
Ice

Chili Lime Salt Rim (optional)

1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp sea salt
Freshly squeezed lime juice

Directions:

Step #1: Add the frozen mango, lime juice, coconut water, tequila, ice, and optional triple sec into a high-speed blender. Blend together until smooth (the consistency should be thick — you may need to stop and scrape down the sides several times). Taste test and adjust ingredients as needed.

Step #2: To make the chili lime salt rim, mix the chili and salt on a small plate. Rim each glass with lime juice, then dip it into the spice mixture. Pour the margarita mixture into each glass and serve! Enjoy immediately.

#4 Shop at Your Local Farmer’s Market to Eat Seasonally & Locally!

Summertime farmer’s markets are great ways to load up on fresh fruits and veggies, all while supporting local. It’s the perfect Saturday morning activity and a great way to try new foods and add seasonal variety to your diet!

Here are some seasonal summer picks to inspire your cart:

Fruits: watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, figs, plums, mango, papaya, tomatoes
Veggies: cucumber, lettuce, zucchini, summer squash, carrots, kale, swiss chard
Herbs: basil, chives, mint, lemongrass, parsley, thyme

#5 Stay on Top of Hydration

It’s easy to become dehydrated, especially in the heat of the summer. Be on the lookout for signs of dehydration! Your body will tell you when it’s in need of some liquid hydration.

Here are some signs to be mindful of:

Muscle cramps
Headaches
Difficulty concentrating
Dry mouth
Dark yellow urine

If you’re spending lots of time out in the summer heat, it’s also important to replace lost electrolytes. Consider electrolyte packs, such as LMNT or Liquid IV. These are great on-the-go options that can be added to your water bottle!

#6 Get Your Outdoor Walk in Early or Late in The Day to Avoid The Heat as Much as Possible

Take care of your body by only doing intense activity indoors and going for walks when the sun is at its lowest. Aside from avoiding the intense midday heat, you’ll also avoid the strongest UV rays (which occur between the hours of 10 am – 4 pm and are most harmful for your skin and health). Plus, sunrise/sunset strolls are the best!

#7 Take an Indoor Workout Class

Add variety and make your workouts something you look forward to this summer! You can try an indoor class, like yoga, Pilates, or kickboxing in the comfort of your own home with the air conditioning cranked!

#8 Swap Out One Caffeinated Beverage For a DIY Electrolyte Drink

Instead of reaching for that third cup of coffee, take 5 minutes to make your own hydrating electrolyte drink. It’ll be perfectly refreshing for the hot summer months. Try this DIY Refreshing Lime Electrolyte Drink — it’s a great post-workout refresher, too!

#9 Apply Extra Sunscreen

Apply sunscreen after your daily skin washing and re-apply for every extra couple of hours in the sun. Honestly, keep it with you wherever you go! It’s always good to show your skin a little extra love, especially when it’s crazy hot and there’s a higher risk of burning.

But, remember: not all sunscreens are created equal. The good news? There are so many toxic-free brands on the market that are affordable and effective! We love this sweat-proof SPF by Coola!

#10 Pick up a New Summer Hobby

Gardening, camping, paddleboard yoga, and nature journaling are all wonderful hobbies to pick up this summer. It can help you reduce stress, foster new (or develop current) relationships, boost your mood, and benefit your overall health! Sounds like a win all around. Go for whatever floats your healthy boat!

#11 Load up Your Smoothies

Okay, but is there anything better than a cold fruit smoothie when it’s hot? They’re such a great way to re-energize your body while sneaking in SO many good-for-you nutrients (like spinach which is totally tasteless). Plus, they’re so easy to make! They make a filling breakfast, easy-prep snack, or even healthy dessert (hello smoothie bowls). Feel free to optimize your smoothie to the max with nut butter, protein powder, or chia seeds to keep you full for longer.

Add these low-sugar smoothie bowls to your summer menu, and customize them to your liking!

#12 Do a Digital Detox

Summer wellness hacks 101: make use of the sunshine when it’s not too hot! Why scroll Instagram when you could learn to paint a scenic view or do a fun outdoor workout? To promote more adventure and living in the present moment, delete your social media apps for a week and see what changes in your life. It’s crazy how much time we spend on our phones without realizing it.

And, if you struggle with healthy boundaries (or a healthy work-life balance), this could be the perfect hack. Enjoy tech-free evenings and replace them with a good book or summer evening stroll. Maybe you even sign off for the weekend! Trust us, a little time away from your phone will have you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

#13 Make Some Nice Cream

Ice cream during the summer is a must. Take it to the next healthy level by whipping a batch of nice cream for dessert instead! Nice cream is a refined sugar-free, dairy-free ice cream made by mixing together different fruits in a high-speed blender.

Here’s a step-by-step guide + 10 delicious flavors. Your summer sweet tooth just got the healthy upgrade it was craving!

Keep the Healthy Summer Vibes Alive

Summer is one of the easiest seasons to stay healthy since it’s when a lot of us are the most active. Take advantage of the warmest time of the year by using some of these summer wellness hacks to refresh and recharge!