Summer Vibes
By Lija Austen
Sandy toes, diving into the ocean, playing by the creek and enjoying long summer evenings. Many of us live on the Tweed Coast to enjoy the beach lifestyle and summer is when we get to experience the pure magic of it. Even on those hot days there always seems to be a cool breeze by the water.
In times gone by, people with health conditions were sent to coastal areas to get well. Science is now telling us that salt water and salt air are amazing for our wellbeing. Spending time near the beach can help us to breathe better, sleep better, feel better and the minerals in salt water can even reduce inflammation in our bodies.
Wellness can seem to flow easily in the summer months but here are some things to be mindful of…
Sip away!
The summer heat can sap moisture from our bodies. Think of your body like a plant that needs extra water at this time of year. Adults need to drink at least 8 cups of fluids a day to stay hydrated. Why not freshen up your water by adding a slice of lemon or a piece of cucumber (in season in the summer months) and add some extra health benefits with each sip!
Eat Local Fresh Foods
There is nothing that feels more Australian than enjoying a juicy slice of watermelon or mango on a hot day. Summer fruits can boost our energy, cool us down and keep us hydrated. In our house we love to blend up watermelon and make our own ice blocks. So great on a hot day to have a cool, healthy treat ready to go!
On the Tweed Coast we are so lucky to have some wonderful local farms that grow a variety of fruits in the local nutrient rich volcanic soil. When visiting the
Duranbah Farmers Markets recently I asked Tropical Fruit World what summer fruits they offer and here is their amazing range – lychees, dragonfruit, achachas canistals, wax jambu, wampees, sapotes, mangoes, avocadoes and bananas! Apparently avocado and mame sapote are the most nutritious fruits but each type offers different vitamins and health benefits – maybe you could get adventurous this summer and try a few!
Sunshine
How good does it feel to take a dip in the ocean then dry off in the sun’s rays. We need sunshine for our mental and physical health but too much can be a bad thing. Shade, sunscreen and covering up can prevent sunburn. Choose your sunscreen wisely – anything we put on our skin we absorb into our body’s cells. There are some fantastic natural and effective sunscreens being sold in shops on the Tweed – ask at your local health food shop for advice.
Rest
Long summer days are the best. The excitement and energy of summer can be palpable. We seem to get more time to enjoy the great outdoors and our calendars can fill up with activities. Summer can be a very “yang” time of action – we need to balance this with the “yin” of rest so we don’t get depleted. Traditionally siestas after lunch were a great chance to recharge in the hottest time of the day. Take some quiet time for you – read a book, have a nap, lie in a hammock or try a restorative class, like yin yoga.
Keep Moving
On a beautiful, summer day on the Tweed Coast, the beaches and creeks are filled with people enjoying watersports, walking on the beach and using the cycleways. To stay healthy we need to get our bodies moving every day. It gets our heart beating, helps our balance, strengthens our bones and helps us to feel great.
As the humidity picks up, sometimes it can feel harder to keep moving. If you like to get up early, starting your day with exercise can be ideal before the sun gets too hot and sets you up to feel good for the rest of the day. If you’re not an early bird, exercising in the cooler evening hours can be good too.
Stay Flexible
As we start to get more active and enjoy watersports in Summer, it is important that we don’t forget to take care of our flexibility and posture to avoid injuries. Pilates, yoga and qigong are great ways to stretch, improve our posture and deepen our breathing so that we have a strong foundation for more vigorous exercise.
Enjoy the summer days! Get active, take some rest, stay hydrated and enjoy the beautiful Tweed Coast where we live!
Lija Austen is a wellness coach and owner of Kingscliff Saltwater Studio, a wellness and arts centre that offers a range of wellness modalities, such as, yoga, pilates, qi gong, meditation, sound healing and lots more. She is also a meditation teacher, counselor, qi gong teacher and director of the Nourish & Flourish Women’s Wellness Festival. She loves to support others to find more balance, joy, calm and wellbeing in their lives.
@kingscliffsaltwaterstudio @lijaausten
linktr.ee/kingscliffsaltwaterstudio or call 0402 894 352
