Do you make health goals every summer, yet struggle to reach them? In our clinic, we offer tailored methods for achieving health improvements using functional medicine and IV therapy from our Toronto IV Lounge. 

We can all agree that Canadian weather is tricky – so when the sun creeps in, there’s no doubt we venture outdoors! But amidst the golf rounds, beach trips, and gardening, it can be easy to lose focus on your health. 

Here, we’ve compiled wellness tips to help enjoy your summer in a healthy manner. Keep this article as a reminder to replenish your fluids, protect yourself from UV rays, and more. 

9 Quick Tips for a Healthy Summer

• 1. Boost your physical activity: Grab a great pair of running shoes and hit the pavement for a daily walk or jog around your neighborhood. And remember, stretching before and after is key to keeping those muscles happy! Exercise can help regulate your mood, appetite, and sleep cycle. It can also promote positive effects on your future quality of life, such as helping to prevent dementia, cardiovascular conditions, and diabetes. 
  2. Prioritize hydration: John Hopkins Medicine reports, “For every hour of activity, people can lose up to 2 quarts of fluid ― and salt along with it. Endurance activities, such as distance running and intense hiking and bicycling, can drain up to 3 quarts per hour.” If you’re not a fan of H2O, drink coconut water – it’s inexpensive and contains electrolytes to help you recover. You can also book a drip session from our IV Lounge after heavy physical exertions, such as after an intense soccer game. A max hydration IV or post-exercise amino acid drip can be customized with therapeutic doses for your biology; this not only rehydrates you, it can also prevent or treat nutrient deficiency and support healthier energy levels. 
  3. Reduce your dietary intake of sugary, processed foods: Take a good look at what’s in your kitchen and what you’re throwing on the barbecue. Scientists have reported a link between processed foods and brain cell destruction. Sugary, chemical-ladened foods can also contribute to weight gain, low immune function, the development of diabetes, and shortened lifespan. 
  4. Eat seasonal fruits and vegetables: Visit your local farmer’s market to swap potato chips and pretzels with seasonal produce. When you eat ripened fruits and veggies after they’ve been newly harvested, they’re packed with antioxidants and other key nutrients, such as vitamin C. 
  5. Reduce your daily exposure to chemicals: BPA (Bisphenol A) is a chemical used in the production of plastics. Make sure on-the go food containers do not carry this endocrine-disrupting chemical, as it can leach into your food via direct contact with plastic. Instead, try packing food in mason jars and use glass water bottles – these little actions can help reduce chemical exposures. 
  6. Catch up on sleep: Don’t forget to prioritize rest. A regular sleep schedule – as well as good quality rest – supports both physical and mental health. Lack of energy can impede reaction time, judgement, and make you susceptible to chronic diseases. So good quality sleep can (hopefully!) contribute to an enjoyable family vacation this summer.
  7. Protect yourself from the sun: Speaking of the sun, excessive exposure can contribute to the aging appearance of skin, sunburns, eye damage, and potentially skin cancers. Cover up with fabrics that protect against UV rays and wear sunglasses and sunscreen. If you’re driving, don’t forget to protect yourself from the sun, too! Wear a light long-sleeved shirt to protect your arms from sun exposure while steering the wheel. 
  8. Promote healthy detoxification: If you’re caught between pollution and summer overindulgence, your body can accumulate excessive amounts of free radicals. Finding ways to detox and rejuvenate is essential, as free radicals can help form chronic inflammation, skin wrinkles, and DNA damage. Consulting with a functional medicine-focused naturopathic doctor can help assess your current condition, and whether or not antioxidants (i.e. glutathione IV  , alpha lipoic acid drip  and/or NAD IV therapy) can be administered to aid kidney and liver detoxification. If you require treatment for heavy metal exposures, we can discuss chelation therapy from our IV Lounge.  
  9. Catch up with old friends: Contact an old family member or friend. Several studies have boasted the beneficial effects of regular socialization. Low social ties have been linked to “… a host of conditions, including development and progression of cardiovascular disease, recurrent myocardial infarction, atherosclerosis, autonomic dysregulation, high blood pressure, cancer and delayed cancer recovery, and slower wound healing,” confirms a Journal of Health and Social Behavior review. 

Do you procrastinate when starting new health regimes? Or do you need to reclaim much-needed energy for summer vacation? If you find yourself relating to this article, maybe it’s a sign! Take action now towards optimal health – find out details about our clinic below.

Suggested reading: Reviving Energy Levels With Functional Medicine And IV Therapy In Toronto  

About Our Functional Medicine Programs and Intravenous Therapy

At the TFMC, we embrace individuality by adapting treatment plans for personal needs. We explore your health concerns as an individual, rather than grouping you into categories, to potentially unravel the source of your symptoms. This is according to integrative functional medicine, which is an approach to wellness that recognizes uniqueness. 

Our functional healthcare providers are adept at personalizing treatments and programs for chronic and autoimmune conditions, hormonal imbalances, fertility concerns, digestive issues, and more. Plus, our IV Lounge is available for both new and existing patients seeking adjunctive intravenous health support! We freshly blend intravenous drips with optimal nutrients, including major antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and more. These may be prescribed by our clinicians, and doses of drips and booster shots are tailored with functional medicine principles. Sessions are closely monitored by our wellness team, so if you ever have questions during your IV appointment, let us know! Our IV Lounge is designed for you to sit back, relax, and reflect on your health goals with a nutritional drip. 

Note: An initial appointment prior to receiving your first drip therapy is needed to create a supportive treatment plan for your wellness goals. Functional lab testing may be advised to quantify nutritional deficiency, hormonal levels, etc. for further analysis. When combined with healthy lifestyle practices and other wellness approaches, IV therapy drips can help lift your body towards optimal functioning. 

Summer is a time to explore new activities, fresh food, mindfulness, and more! Renew your wellness with our tailored therapies – simply click here today to request info about IV therapy from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

References

Dmitrieva NI, Gagarin A, Liu D, Wu CO, Boehm M. Middle-age high normal serum sodium as a risk factor for accelerated biological aging, chronic diseases, and premature mortality. EBioMedicine. 2023 Jan;87:104404. doi: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104404. Epub 2023 Jan 2. PMID: 36599719; PMCID: PMC9873684.

“Exercise & Fitness” from Harvard Health Publishing, viewed on May 26, 2024. 

Fuhrman, J. (2018). The Hidden Dangers of Fast and Processed Food. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 12(5), 375-381. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827618766483

Macdiarmid JI. Seasonality and dietary requirements: will eating seasonal food contribute to health and environmental sustainability? Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. 2014;73(3):368-375. doi:10.1017/S0029665113003753

“The Benefits of Seasonal Eating” from the University of Maryland Medical System, viewed on May 26, 2024. 

Umberson D, Montez JK. Social relationships and health: a flashpoint for health policy. J Health Soc Behav. 2010;51 Suppl(Suppl):S54-66. doi: 10.1177/0022146510383501. PMID: 20943583; PMCID: PMC3150158.