After 18 months of isolation, we’re finally out and about again. Make the most of the rest of your summer, with foods, habits and supplements that boost energy and performance, protect your heart and joints, promote supple skin and strong hair, and keep you healthy and well, all the way into fall.

Supercharge stamina and performance.

Heat, dehydration and non-stop activity can lead to lethargy, sap summer fun. Plus, metabolism naturally slows in hotter weather, making you even more fatigued. Stop that end-of-season slump, with healthy habits that dial up stamina and performance. First up: get plenty of shut-eye—longer daylight hours decrease sleep-promoting melatonin—and stay plenty hydrated. Boosting water intake cools your body’s internal temperature, and research shows ample hydration improves energy, lessens fatigue and promotes a perkier mood. Make it easier: emphasize cooling smoothies and water-rich fruits and vegetables like celery, cucumbers, watermelon and tomatoes to sneak in extra hydration.

And squeeze every last drop out of summer, with targeted nutrients that increase nitric oxide levels, critical for circulation, stamina and performance. Naturally produced by the body, nitic oxide works by prompting blood vessels to widen and relax, enhancing circulation and supporting delivery of nutrients and oxygen to muscles and cells. Red spinach, B vitamins and beets up your body’s nitric oxide levels, and studies show supplements that increase nitric oxide not only improve energy and performance, but also reduce soreness, and speed healing and recovery—so you can go stronger, longer. 

Protect your joints. 

Amped-up summer activity (running, tennis, basketball, heavy lifting) can stress joints, leading to pain, swelling, inflammation and, over time, a higher risk of osteoarthritis. Plus, cookouts, concerts and holiday travels take their toll; too many cocktails and a less-than-pristine diet further spur inflammation, leaving knees, elbows and shoulders stiff and sore.

Don’t let pain bench you for the last of the season. Keep exercising—it’s good for joints—but do it more strategically. Add rest and recovery days after strenuous workouts; if joints are sore, incorporate lower-impact activities, like walking, cycling, yoga and strength training. Swimming is especially beneficial; one study found water-based exercises significantly decreased pain, improved mobility.

Read More