Your One-Stop Summer Resource Guide

With the first day of summer less than two weeks away, it's the perfect time to talk about enjoying the sun safely, cooling down with healthy sips, and exercising in the great outdoors.
This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, send us an email.

With the first day of summer less than two weeks away, it's the perfect time to talk about enjoying the sun safely, cooling down with healthy sips, and exercising in the great outdoors. It's one of my favorite times of the year because we have more time to relax and if we're lucky enough, take a well-deserved vacation. Before you kick back at the beach, pool, or simply on your back porch, remember to keep these summer safety tips in mind.

Be Sun Smart

Not sure what SPF number to look for on the sunscreen bottle? Is lotion or spray more effective? This summer, stop coming up with new excuses and commit to finally breaking your bad habit of skipping sun protection. Find out how to buy the right sunscreen and remember to apply at least 15 minutes before you go outside so your skin has enough time to absorb the ingredients. Reapply sunscreen after a couple of hours or after swimming and wear a breathable hat to keep your scalp cool and protected. And if you're concerned about mosquitoes and the Zika virus, take necessary precautions and follow my Zika-free guide.

Quench Your Thirst

When the temperatures start climbing, cool down with one of my favorite summer drinks. I love a refreshing, simple drink like homemade iced tea with fresh mint leaves or if you prefer something sweeter, swap syrups for fruit like in this colorful cooler. Don't forget the classic lemonade that's super easy to make -- all you need is fresh lemon juice, water, extra ice, and mint and sweetener to taste.

Move More

Longer days offer plenty of time to squeeze in some of my best summer workouts. Top trainers like Jillian Michaels, Joel Harper, and Shaun T. took time out of their busy schedules to share their expert know-how so you can fight those summer pounds without missing out on the gorgeous weather by being cooped up in the gym. Grab your water bottle, throw on your sneakers, and get ready for a slimmer, summer body!

Popular in the Community

Close

HuffPost Shopping’s Best Finds

MORE IN LIFE