4 Fun & Easy Tips for a Healthy Summer

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Summer is almost here! That means more time outdoors enjoying the lake, park or pool, or just hanging out in the backyard. Before heading outside this summer, use these simple tips to keep your family safe and healthy while having fun in the sun.

1. Get outside & get active

The warm weather and long days make it easier to get your kids outside and off the couch. If sports are their thing, you can sign them up for a camp or a league. To stay active as a family, try something new like a scavenger hunt, a kickball game, or build an outdoor obstacle course.

2. Stay sunburn free

For many, summer also means sunburn. Not only can sunburns be painful, but too many sunburns – especially during childhood – can cause skin cancer. A recent study by the American Association for Cancer Research found teens and young women who had more than five bad sunburns were twice as likely to develop skin cancer later in life. The good news is, sunburn and skin cancer can be prevented with these safe sun habits:

  • Use the right sunscreen. Lather up with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF 30 or higher – even on cloudy days. Reapply sunscreen every two hours.
  • Cover up with clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat and ultraviolet (UV)-blocking sunglasses.
  • Avoid the sun when it’s hottest: between 10am and 4pm. If you can, go to the pool or park in the morning (bonus: less crowded!), or plan your cookout for later in the day so you miss the worst of the sun’s rays.

3. Build some healthy eating habits

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy an outdoor meal with friends and family. Make your next picnic or cookout healthy with these tips:

  • Serve up a healthy grilling menu with chicken, fish, or turkey burgers, and cut back on ground beef, pork, and hot dogs. Veggie skewers make a great side dish for your cookout. Load up skewers with mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes, zucchini, yellow squash, or other fresh vegetables.
  • Plant a vegetable or herb garden. Growing your own food is a great way to get fresh ingredients for your meals, reduce stress, and burn some calories!
  • Use frozen or fresh fruit to make homemade fruit popsicles the whole family will enjoy!

4. Drink plenty of water

Drinking water is an important part of staying healthy, especially when it’s hot outside. Make sure your kids drink water before, during, and after physical activity, even if they don’t feel thirsty. This helps keep them hydrated.

With a little planning, make this summer the healthiest and most fun yet for your family!


To learn more about the ways you can stay healthy, visit the Health & Wellness page on anthem.com/wisconsin. Their team of experts shares new health tips, topics, and preventive care programs for you and your family to use. Anthem is a community partner of Chippewa Valley Family.