Summer’s Here!

Make it an active summer!

Spring may have sprung but Summer is where we have fun in the sun. Lockdown has kept us inside during the winter season. With the restrictions easing in time for our Aussie summer, it’s a good time to go out for some fresh air and exercise. Schools finished and the Christmas-New Year holidays are around the corner. It’s the perfect time to go out and have some fun. The sun is out and the weather is lovely.

Exercise doesn’t always mean going to the gym for a workout or going for a run around the local park. Playing sports is another form of exercise. Maybe it’s time to get the kids out to the park and outside of the house. Maybe they can bring their buddy with them to play. With the sun out, bring a ball to the park or courts and play a few rounds of whatever you want to play.

What are some tips for exercising in the hotter weather?

1. Stay Hydrated – It’s going to get hot. The summer heat usually makes us Aussies sweat which means water loss for our active bodies. When we exercise in the heat, our bodies tend to tire faster, lose more water to keep us cool and burn more energy quicker. That’s it’s always good to stay hydrated but especially more when exercising in the heat. It’s recommended to have around 2L water a day.
2. Exercise earlier – The earlier, the cooler! The afternoon sun is always the hottest and when the UV is at the highest. If you’re the person who hates waking up at 5am to go for a jog, then maybe late afternoon is better for you. When the sun is down and the cooler night temperatures are out.
3. Water sports – It’s the summer time, why not exercise or do some outdoor activities in the sun. Swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding are some ideas for physical activity.
4. Walk instead of drive – If where you need to go is close, why not walk there instead? Any drive around 5-10 minutes could be a 30min-1 hour walk. That can help you add to the recommended daily physical activity levels. If you forgot, it’s recommended for an adult to have:

• • 2.5 to 5 hours of moderate intensity physical activity – such as a brisk walk, golf, mowing the lawn or swimming
  • 1.25 to 2.5 hours of vigorous intensity physical activity – such as jogging, aerobics, fast cycling, soccer or netball

What are some physical activity ideas you can do in the summer ?

• Hiking
• Swimming/Going to the beach/ Paddle-boarding
• Going for a bike ride
• Gardening
• Going to the park with the family