7 ways to protect your health this summer

Looking after your health is incredibly important, but it can be even more challenging on a vegetarian or vegan diet. Here’s how to keep your health in tip-top shape, from finding vegan-friendly vitamins, to improving your overall wellbeing.

1. Make healthy food choices

During summer, it's easy to reach for sugar-rich, creamy treats that might help cool us down during these warmer months. And enjoying the occasional treat is absolutely fine, but it's also important to maintain a healthy diet that's packed with nutritious, wholesome foods.

Did you know that just one handful of California Walnuts contains a powerhouse of important nutrients that can help support your overall health and wellbeing? Walnuts are the only tree nut to contain an excellent source of the essential omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid (2.7g/ 30g) and just one handful (about 30g) provides 4.4g of protein and 1.4g of fibre. Walnuts are also a good source of folate, vitamin B6 and copper, and contain iron and zinc – all of which contribute to overall health and wellbeing.

Deliciously mild and creamy, enjoy a handful of California Walnuts as a healthy snack, or add to breakfast, lunch or dinner. Download your free guide today for 30 delicious ways to include California Walnuts in your diet.

2. Keep stress in check

Stress is our body’s reaction to pressures from a situation or life event. In many situations, it can be seen as a normal reaction that helps keep us awake and alert, but when stress becomes excessive or persists over a period of time, the opposite happens.

Key ways to help break the stress-sleep cycle include switching off electrical devices, ensuring consistency with your bed-time routine and exercising during the day. You could also try a herbal remedy to aid relaxation.

Based on long-standing use as traditional herbal remedies, Kalms Night One-A-Night is used for temporary relief of sleep disturbances, whilst Kalms Day is used for the temporary relief of symptoms associated with stress. Both contain Valerian Root.

3. Hit your fitness goals

Summer is a time when most of us are keen to achieve our fitness goals, and The Protein Works is here to make your sports nutrition go even further. The company has teamed up with Hussle to give you a free day gym pass to use at a gym of your choice. It's simple: once you have made a purchase with The Protein Works on orders over £50, you'll receive an email containing an exclusive access code to claim your free gym pass.

4. Look for natural remedies

If you're keen to avoid harsh prescription medication with potentially harmful side effects, you could consider natural, herbal solutions. The innovative HRI range of natural, herbal medicines and supplements are designed to empower you to manage your everyday health. The products work to prevent health issues, as well as dealing with a range of problems such as skin conditions, bloating, colds and flu, liver function and low mood.

All of the HRI herbal medicine range carries the THR symbol for the highest quality and safety standards. The symbol shows it has been approved by the government MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency).

5. Top up your nutrients

Do you find it challenging to source vegan-friendly supplements? Algae Oil Omega-3 Complete is sourced from algae that's high in omega-3, and is grown naturally in a contaminant-free, pharmaceutical graded environment. The omega-3 oil is unpolluted, pure and planet friendly. It consists of a full spectrum of omega-3 DHA, EPA and DPA to provide unparalleled, responsibly sourced omega-3 quality. Plus, as a Live Green & Good reader, you can receive a free tub of Algae Oil Complete with your first order for purchases made before 31st August, 2020.

6. Don't worry, be happy

Omega-3 fatty acids are important not just for health, but for happiness, too. Omega-3 helps maintain healthy eyes, skin, hair and nails, and is also vital for brain health, improving general wellbeing and elevating mood.

Vegums has recently introduced a Fish-free Omega-3 to its range. The new gummies are zero-waste, family-friendly, and flavoured with real oranges. They're packed with all the omega-3 needed to supplement a plant-based diet: each little gummy bear contains 40mg of DHA, an essential amino acid found in omega-3. Omega-3 helps to maintain healthy eyes, skin, heart and brain, especially important during childhood development. Our omega-3 is sourced from marine algae oil, which is sustainably produced and carefully purified to give you all the great nutrients and none of the heavy metal contaminants.

7. Look after your overall wellbeing

A lot of us have been using lockdown as an opportunity to get more exercise, and it's likely to have various benefits for your overall health and wellbeing. But an active lifestyle can lead to pain and inflammation, and your body needs ample recovery time to restore and regenerate. What's more, people are getting less and less sleep – one out of three adults report getting fewer than the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep each night.

Researchers have found that CBD may be able to improve your sleep, without the unwanted, unnatural chemicals and side effects of other sleep aids. It may also help with inflammation as well. Check out elementsofgreen.com to try a CBD product that fits your needs.