This summer has been coined the ‘Summer of Sport’. With the Euro 2020, the Olympic Games and the Paralympic Games all moved back a year into 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic, it’s lined up a back-to-back feast for sports fans this summer.
Now, as the 2021 Wimbledon Championships get underway, many of us will find ourselves inspired once again to dust off our tennis racquets and get outside for some much-needed sun, fun and fitness.
The great thing about having so much sport on the TV, even if you’re not a sports fan, is that it does put fitness front and centre in our minds. This in itself can be the welcome push that many of us need to get thinking about doing more exercise and embracing a healthier lifestyle.
The warmer weather and longer days certainly help too, as does the gradual easing of coronavirus restrictions. Although it might not be as fast as some of us would like, we can now meet in groups, indoors as well as outside, so playing sports and doing exercise classes together is very much back on the agenda.
The health and wellbeing of the nation continues to be a hot topic, and increased awareness of the importance of making healthy lifestyle choices is definitely something to be welcomed. It can seem like a daunting prospect for some though, or just another thing you have to think about in your already busy day.
That’s why we’ve put together a list of some quick and easy things you can do to help improve your health and wellbeing this summer.
Get outside
Go for a walk – whether it’s along the coast, through the woods or just around the block, going outside and being active is a great combination that’s sure to leave you feeling more energised. The added benefits of exposure to natural light will help you feel better all round, and probably sleep better too. Why not pack a picnic (don’t forget your Sea & T cans) and make a day of it?
Watch your diet
Good food and drink is fuel for the body, but all too often the things we eat and drink are full of added sugars, sweeteners, salt and more. Eat whole foods wherever possible and familiarise yourself with food labels (the NHS website provides some useful guidance here) so it becomes easier to assess and compare the products on the shelf.
Don’t forget to look at the nutrition labels for your drinks as well – you may be surprised at how much sugar some of them contain. There certainly aren’t many out there like our award-winning Sea Arch Coastal Juniper non-alcoholic spirit that is not only alcohol-free but also sugar-free, sweetener-free and calorie-free. Sounds too good to be true, I know, but it’s a crisp, complex and refreshing spirit that’s packed with flavour. Made from 100% natural botanicals, including the coastal botanicals sugar kelp and samphire, it’s as uplifting as a walk on the beach – and just as good for you!
Drink moderately
Alcohol is a diuretic so it can easily leave you dehydrated. If you are drinking alcohol, try to drink moderately and sip plenty of water too.
Better still, why not try swapping some of your alcoholic drinks for non-alcoholic alternatives? If you like a G&T, for example, try a Sea & T instead by mixing our Sea Arch Coastal Juniper with a premium tonic water, some ice and a wedge of fresh lemon or lime. Many of our loyal customers tell us that they like to ‘mix and match’, so they may drink wine or enjoy a G&T or two at the weekend, then indulge healthily with a delicious, refreshing Sea Arch during the week.
If cocktails are more your sort of thing, we have plenty of lovely non-alcoholic cocktail recipes too, giving you all the sense of occasion without the hangover.
The quality of no & low alcohol drinks has improved no end in recent years, but do remember to look at the sugar levels and calories as well, as they can vary greatly.
Have a positive outlook
A positive mindset is one of our most powerful tools when it comes to improving our sense of wellbeing, and relatively straightforward things like getting enough natural light, having regular sleep patterns, eating a healthy diet and staying hydrated all play a part in supporting that outlook.
Exercise is another key factor as it releases endorphins, making us feel happier and more positive. Longer term it often increases our confidence levels too as our fitness improves.
Doing things you enjoy and spending time with people you care about can also help to lift our spirits no end – so there’s another good excuse for a picnic!
The perfect serve
In the meantime, if you are planning to put your feet up and watch Wimbledon, why not mix up our delicious Strawberry & Lime Spritz cocktail with our Coastal Juniper spirit.
