Try These 6 Healthy Activities This Summer

Summer is the perfect time to start getting into some healthier habits. The weather outside is nice, meaning you can do things outside that you don’t normally get to during other months. If you’re looking for some activities that you can do this Summer, and ones that will provide some health benefits, give some on the list below a shot. You may just find your new favorite activity.

Take a Hike

Hiking is a very healthy activity, and Summer is the perfect time for it. Hiking gives you a good cardio workout, exercises the leg and core muscles, and allows you to escape from everyday life for a little while. The best time to go hiking during the Summer is in the early hours, as it isn’t as hot then. Find some local hiking trails in your area, grab a bottle of water, and go explore. Once you’re out in the middle of nowhere, your mind will be more at ease, and your body will appreciate the tough workout.

Try Yoga

Yoga provides a lot of healthy benefits. It works out specific muscle groups, especially your core. It can also help to relieve stress, and make you more flexible (and therefore at a lower risk for injury). You can do yoga any time of year, but Summer allows you to do it outside. Doing yoga outside during some nice weather adds a great element to it, and can make your yoga experience even better. Find some yoga routines online that you like and bring your phone or tablet outside with you. Or, you may even be able to find some local outdoor yoga classes in your area that you can join.

Take Up Kayaking

If you want to spend some time on the water, kayaking is a great activity to try out. Kayaking provides a great workout to your upper body, and you get to spend a few hours out on the water with nothing to bother you. If you’re new to kayaking, you’ll want to avoid rougher waters, and instead opt for a lake or bay area. All you need to get started is a kayak (you can rent one or buy a used one), a paddle, and perhaps a life jacket if you’re not a strong swimmer. Then head on over to your nearest body of water and enjoy the ride.

Take Out a Paddle Board

Going for a ride on a paddle board is similar to kayaking. You give your upper body, including your core, a great workout. With paddle boarding, you stand up on a surf board, and use a paddle to navigate around. It may sound easy, but it will give you quite a workout by the time your done. Again you’ll want to do this in calm waters, as standing on your board will be pretty much impossible on rough waters. To get started do a Google search like “paddle board for sale near me”, then find a body of water near you that seems suitable.

Swim Laps

Swimming is one of the healthiest activities you can do. It works basically every muscle group while also giving you a cardio workout. And while you can swim during the Winter if you can find a local indoor pool, swimming during the Summer is much better. There’s nothing quite like jumping into some cool water on a hot day. You can go swimming either in your own pool if it’s large enough, or head over to a local lake. Either way, once you’re in, try doing these swim exercises to give yourself a good workout.

Read a Book

Finally, healthy habits aren’t all about physical health. Sometimes you need to take care of your mind too, and for that reading a book can go a long way. Set aside some time to sit outside in the nice Summer weather and read a book that you really enjoy. This will not only help you remove stress, but you may even learn something new. So, head on over to your local library, bookstore, or grab a Kindle, then sit down for a bit and relax.

Make Time for Healthy Choices

Even though it’s the Summer, our lives remain busy. It’s important that we set aside some time for healthy activities once in a while. The above activities are all great to do during the Summer, but they won’t happen if you don’t find the time. Pick one or two that you really want to try, set aside the time, and then go enjoy the Summer weather.


This is a guest blog entry.