By Charlie Fletcher
Photo: Elyse Jokinen 

Living in an area that truly experiences the heat of summer can be great for many reasons. You’ll get plenty of vitamin D, have lots of opportunities to play outside and say goodbye to the winter blues. But, high summer temperatures also means lots of sun exposure that brings its own set of risks to the table.
 
Practicing self care when you live in an area of high heat is extremely important. There are plenty of basic, natural summer care options that can help you enjoy summer to its fullest, without suffering the negative consequences of high temperatures and prolonged sun exposure.
 
Understanding why natural products and methods for self care are beneficial is a great place to start. You’ll also want some great skincare tips up your sleeve for when you inevitably get that sunburn. Finally, some overall summer wellness tips for staying healthy and cool will help you thrive when the going gets hot.

Why Go Natural?

Everyone has a different reason for choosing natural products over conventional ones, whether it’s care for the earth, worries about toxins or something else entirely. Natural, environmentally friendly products have gained traction in recent years as consumers demand more and more to know what’s going into the products they’re buying and consuming.
 
“A fresh report from a leading prescription medication watchdog suggests drug companies aren’t holding up their end of the bargain of letting consumers know all the details of their product side effects,” reports Drug News.
 
It seems like a simple ask to know what’s in the products you’re using and how they could affect your health, but often times with conventional products it seems like that is just too much to ask. A major reason for choosing natural products is that they’ll likely have no (or at least fewer) toxins and potentially harmful substances in them, therefore making them more healthy for both you and the earth.
 
Cutting out toxins from your life can be a daunting task, but starting by overhauling your skincare routine is a great way to go. Natural products may be more expensive, but you’ll likely be saving yourself money in the form of medical bills down the road. Think of going natural with your self-care products as an investment in yourself.

Skin Care

When you live in a sunny, warm area and enjoy doing activities outside on a regular basis, summer means sunburns. There’s just not a way around it. Having a solid and natural skin care routine to care for your skin before, during, and after prolonged sun exposure is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your health.
 
Sunburns may seem run of the mill, but you should still take them seriously.

According to Riversol, “Not only are sunburns painful and uncomfortable, they can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening health problems, including skin cancer.”
 
While you should certainly try to avoid getting a sunburn in the first place by wearing protective clothing and sunscreen, it’s also important to know what to do when you find yourself red, blotchy and in pain. When you get a bad sunburn, there’s nothing more prominently on your mind than finding relief from said burn. Luckily, there are many great natural remedies to help ease your pain.
 
One of the most popular forms of sunburn relief is aloe vera gel. The plant’s naturally cooling properties make it a great treatment option for your skin problems. You don’t even need to go to the drugstore to buy it, either. Consider purchasing your very own aloe vera plant to keep at home. They don’t require much watering and you’ll always have a remedy on hand for the summer months.
 
Another great option is lesser known, but just as effective: Black tea is a great natural remedy for a sunburn. Simply soak a few black tea bags in warm water, let them sit for a few minutes, and then place them directly on the burned skin. You will feel relief in no time.
 
Don’t overlook the other health benefits of black tea, either. A variety of health problems can potentially be relieved through the consumption of black tea. So the next time you get a craving for a nice pitcher of iced tea to refresh yourself during the summer months, you’ll also be doing your health a favor.

Overall Summer Wellness