5 ways to beat fatigue from summer's heat!
Does the summer heat leave you feeling drained? Lower your core temperature with these 5 solutions!
The summer months leave many people feeling drained and lethargic. There are various reasons why people tend to feel sleepy and unenergetic when temperatures rise! When it's hot and humid, the body loses fluids and salt from perspiration (perspiration is the body's way of cooling itself down), which, if you don't drink sufficient water, can lead to dehydration. Essentially, your body is working overtime in an effort to keep your body temperature regulated and avoid overheating. It makes sense that if your body is working overtime, plus possibly experiencing a state of dehydration, your energy levels would not be at theirs best!
A lesser known contributing factor to heat exhaustion is sunlight itself! In an article from Double Helix, their writer, David, sheds some light on the subject:
"When your eyes are exposed to bright light, your body stops making a chemical called melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates your sleep. It makes sure you’re awake during the day and sleepy at night. When you get out of the sunshine, your body starts producing lots of melatonin. Soon after, you might feel like a nap!"
Pretty interesting! However, while the above-mentioned reasons can leave us feeling sluggish and even grumpy as the temperatures warm up, it's no cause for concern and can be easily remedied!
Caution: dizziness, fainting, nausea, confusion, etc. can be a sign of heat exhaustion and may require medical attention.
Eat light
Because your body is already working like a champion in an effort to keep your body temperature regulated, it's best to avoid piling on the workload. Heavy or large meals force your body into working significantly harder in order to break down the food and absorb all the available nutrients from your meals.
While you should always avoid overeating your digestive system will thank you especially during the summer months as its working so hard. We suggest you eat smaller portions of food frequently throughout the day. This method ensures that your body receives enough nutrients without overtaxing the digestive system all at once.
Tip: These superfoods are exceptionally high in nutrients and make for light, healthy meal replacements. They make you feel fuller for longer, minimizing the desire to eat often.
Drink sufficient water
Because we perspire more when we're hot, we end up losing a decent amount of fluid during summer. When your body lacks the required amount of water, many things happen in your body that leads to fatigue. For instance, water plays a huge role in metabolic processes like drawing nutrients from our food and obtaining energy. Water also helps carry oxygen and said nutrients around the body, so when we don't have sufficient water, our muscles and brains begin to slow down due to the lack of oxygen and nutrients.
Another important role that water plays is to cleanse our body of toxins. Water helps move toxins out of the body by flushing the toxins through the gastrointestinal tract and urinary tract. The more toxins in your body, the harder your body has to work to get rid of them, and the less toxins in your body, the less your body has to work to get rid of them. Remember, the less your body has to work in summer, the better!
Tip: Chia Seeds are great to add into your water as they help with detox and hydration. Start each morning with a full glass of water. Each day, you should be drinking at least 1 glass of water for every 10kg of your body weight.
Get your wrists wet
Not many people know this trick, but running cold water over your wrists helps to lower your body temperature! While jumping in the pool or taking a cool shower also helps, a simple solution is wetting your wrists.
The radial arteries are the arterial blood vessels (arteries carry blood away from the heart) located near the surface of our wrists' skin, also known as arterial pulse points. If you cool down the radial arteries with cold water, it will circulate cooler blood through the body and ultimately lower your body temperature!
Peppermint essential oil
Peppermint essential oil is commonly used to bring down fevers, so it makes sense that it would make it on this list! Peppermint contains menthol, which produces a cooling effect on the skin and body temperature. It works whether inhaled or applied topically to the body, but many experts recommend mixing a drop or two of Pure Peppermint Essential Oil in some Organic Coconut Oil and rubbing it into the back of the neck or under the feet.
Peppermint essential oil is also excellent for blood flow and circulation, and helps boost energy levels and brain functioning!
Take energy-boosting supplements
Energy-boosting supplements are great to take year-round to ensure you're always feeling your best and able to achieve all your goals. If you take energy-boosting supplements, by the time summer comes you won't even notice the effects of the heat as your body will be receiving the nutrients it needs to function optimally!
Here are our top energy-boosting supplements:
Solgar L-Carnitine
L-Carnitine is an amino acid derivative and a nutrient involved in lipid (fat) metabolism. L-carnitine helps the body to produce energy and is also important for heart and brain function, muscle movement, and many other body processes. L-Carnitine also includes pantothenic acid, a co-enzyme involved in energy release from cells.
Megasorb Vitamin B Complex
Various B vitamins are essential in helping the body convert food into glucose, which gives you energy. To make sure that you get all the Vitamin B your body needs, Megasorb Vitamin B Complex contains the full spectrum of Vitamin B1, B2, B3, Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B5), B6, folic acid, Biotin and Vitamin B12!
Fatigue Fighter
Fatigue Fighter is an all-herbal booster formula to increase energy levels and fight fatigue naturally. Fatigue Fighter is perfect for athletes, as well as for those suffering from fatigue and chronic illness. Combining the powerful effects of Asian and Mediterranean herbal medicine, Fatigue Fighter's natural power booster formula can help you to feel stronger, more energetic and full of life!
Maca Powder
Maca comes from Peru and has been used by Peruvians for thousands of years as a powerhouse of nutrition, especially for strength and energy. Rich in mineral content, amino acids and other powerful nutritional benefits, Maca is a favourited Superfood for those who exercise, play sport and are regularly active. People use Maca in smoothies, baked goods, hot drinks and cereals!
Korean Ginseng
Ginseng has been shown to effectively help fight fatigue and promote energy, especially in men (women who use Korean Ginseng regularly/long-term may experience menstrual changes). Korean Ginseng is popular due to its invigorating effect on the body, brain and energy levels.
Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass contains over 90 minerals and is rich in vitamins, antioxidants and essential amino acids. It is said that drinking Wheatgrass Powder is like shots of bottled sunshine - alkalising, cleansing, detoxing and energising! Add to smoothies, fruit juices - almost anything, for a super convenient shot of plant based nutrition!
If you have any question, please contact us or leave a comment below for FREE health advice. We always love hearing from you!
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