(I took this on the steamship ferry somewhere between Nantucket and Hyannis).
Seven Summer Self-care Tips
Summer has finally arrived on Nantucket! Here are some easy tips to help you keep your cool and protect your skin. Your body will thank you!
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes and avoid squinting. Wear glasses big enough to protect the delicate skin around your eyes. Polarized lenses are best as they reduce glare.
- Wear a hat. Not only will wearing a hat help protect your face from the sun but it will also help protect highlighted or coloured hair and keep it healthier. My hat of choice is a classic panama. It’s made of straw and so is very light, has a wide brim helps and it’s stylish! I found a great selection of panamas on sale at: http://www.panamahatmall.com/en/sale-c-4807.html. (I bought mine years ago at the Sunken Ship on Nantucket. A little known fact...Ben Stiller used to work there as a teenager).
Tip: Clean the inside of the hat band with some cotton wool and witch hazel a couple of times a week to get rid of any oil, make-up or bacteria that might be lurking under there. Let it air dry completely.
- Drink plenty of water! During a particularly hot summer a few years ago I started to suffer from dizzy spells and light-headedness and felt generally unwell. Several days past before I realized that I had been suffering from dehydration. Click on the link from webmd.com that explains more about dehydration: http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/dehydration-adults#1
- Protect yourself from chafing! Dust corn-starch based body powder in areas prone to chafing like inner thighs and underarms. Wear loose, natural fabrics like cotton to let your skin breathe.
- Wear a Lip Balm with SPF. I love lip balms and use a lip balm with SPF when I spend time outside. My lip conditioner (available this week!) is great for night-time (put it on in the evening when going out or right before bed for softer, smoother lips in the morning) or for everyday use when you’re not spending time outside in the sun.
- Wear a “clean” sunscreen. Certain sunscreens are loaded with chemicals which may contain hormone disrupting agents. The EWG or Environmental Working Group has a great article explaining what to look for and what to be aware in sunscreens: http://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/
The EWG also provides a list of sunscreens for you and your family: http://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/
- And finally…eat something cool and delicious! I recently made a chilled coconut and melon soup and loved it! Here is a link from the New York Times with a great list of 12 chilled soups: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/06/03/magazine/cold-soups.html
Feel free to share this list with family and friends!
Ciara xx
References:
dryoun.com; Summer Skin Tips, Instant Change Treatment, Leaky Gut;
http://www.dryoun.com/summer-skin-tips-instant-change-treatments-leaky-gut/, May 22, 2017.
Webmd.com; What is Dehydration? What causes it?;
http://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/dehydration-adults#1, May 2, 2017
EWG.org; Sunscreen Report, the Trouble with Sunscreen Chemicals;
http://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/, May, 2017.
EWG.org; EWG’s 2017 Guide to Suncreens;
http://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/; May, 2017
Newyorktimes.com; Twelve Cold Soup Recipes;
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/06/03/magazine/cold-soups.html, May 31, 2012
panamahatmall.com; Panama Hats on Sale; http://www.panamahatmall.com/en/sale-c-4807.html, June 28, 2017
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