Summer is here, which means longer days, holidays, meals out and hopefully plenty of sunshine.
While we are all for making the most of it, a change in schedule can make it easy for our usual healthy habits to slip. One of the first things to disappear from the routine? Remembering to take our vitamins.
A balanced diet should always be the starting point when it comes to getting the nutrients we need. But if supplements are already part of your routine, keeping up with them over summer can help you stay consistent, even when everything else looks a little different.
Why is supplementing over summer important?
It is easy to associate vitamins with the colder months, when supporting our immune health and vitamin D intake might be front of mind.
But our bodies need essential nutrients throughout the year.
Energy levels, digestion, sleep, skin and hair health do not suddenly stop mattering when the sun comes out. In fact, hot weather, late nights, travelling and changes to our eating habits can sometimes leave us feeling tired, bloated or generally out of sorts.
This does not mean supplements should replace a healthy diet or lifestyle. But if you already take them to support your individual needs, summer is not the time to forget about them completely.
Consistency is key
Most supplements are designed to be taken regularly, not whenever we happen to remember.
Stopping your routine because there is no space left in your suitcase, or because your usual schedule has gone out the window, can make it harder to stay consistent.
This is particularly relevant for water soluble vitamins, including B vitamins and vitamin C. The body does not store large amounts of these vitamins, so we need to get them regularly through our diet.
A few simple tricks can help:
- Take your vitamins with the same meal each day
- Set a reminder on your phone
- Keep them somewhere you will see them
- Pack them before everything else disappears into your suitcase
- Keep them in their original packaging when travelling
Small habit, sorted.
Summertime and the livin’ is... not always easy!
Dry skin? Feeling bloated? Struggling to sleep in the heat? Running out of energy halfway through the day?
Summer is great, but it can come with its own set of challenges. Here are some of our favourite nutrients and formulas for supporting your routine during the warmer months.
Energy: B vitamins for the win
Busy days, hot weather and late nights can be a tiring combination.
B vitamins support normal energy release from food, while several B vitamins also contribute to the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
Because B vitamins are water soluble, it is important to get a regular supply through your diet.
Our carefully formulated Rise & Energise blend contains a full B vitamin complex, alongside vitamin C, magnesium and Korean ginseng. It is designed to support normal energy release and help reduce tiredness and fatigue.
Ideal for days when your summer plans require a little more get up and go!
Skin: summer glow starts from within
Spending more time outside can mean more exposure to the sun, so protecting your skin with a suitable SPF should always come first.
Nutrition also plays an important role in maintaining healthy skin. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of the skin, while vitamin C, vitamin E and zinc help protect cells from oxidative stress.
Our Hair, Skin & Nails formula combines carefully selected nutrients to support your skin, hair and nails from within.
Looking to cover one of the basics? Our Vitamin C supplement is another easy addition to your daily routine.
Just remember, no supplement can protect your skin from sun damage. Keep using your SPF, seek shade when needed and avoid spending too long in strong sunlight.
Digestion: look after your gut
Holidays often mean different foods, different meal times and sometimes a little less fruit, veg and fibre than usual.
Travelling can also mean changes to your water intake, sleep and daily schedule, all of which can leave your digestion feeling unsettled.
Drinking plenty of water, eating enough fibre and keeping your meals fairly regular can all help.
Our Daily Biotic contains nine probiotic strains, alongside prebiotic fibre, to help support a healthy gut. It is designed to be taken daily with food, making it an easy addition to breakfast or lunch.
Pop it in your suitcase and your gut will thank you.
Party, party and no sleep
Long evenings and a busier social calendar are some of the best parts of summer.
Trying to sleep in a hot bedroom afterwards? Not quite as fun.
Keeping your room cool, limiting caffeine later in the day and sticking to a relaxing evening routine can all help you wind down.
Magnesium contributes to the normal functioning of the nervous system and normal psychological function, which is why it is often included in supplements designed to support an evening routine.
Our Sweet Sleep formula contains magnesium and vitamin B6, alongside ingredients including lemon balm, L-theanine and Montmorency cherry.
Because summer nights should be long for the right reasons!
Make room for your vitamins
Summer routines are rarely perfect, and they do not need to be.
Enjoy the meals out, the spontaneous plans and the late nights. Just try not to let the healthy habits that make you feel good disappear completely.
If supplements are already part of your routine, find a simple way to keep taking them consistently throughout summer. Even if that means sacrificing a tiny bit of suitcase space!
Not sure which vitamins are right for you?
Not everyone needs the same supplements. Your diet, lifestyle and health goals all play a part in working out which nutrients may be most relevant to you.
Take our quick health quiz to receive personalised vitamin recommendations designed around you.
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