Summer Series: Wrapping up the Season

As summer comes to an end and families get ready for the start of a new school year, it can be hard to say goodbye to the more carefree summer months. While this year may not have been as carefree as usual due to the pandemic, there is still something special about the summertime air that makes it uniquely enjoyable.

To help keep the spirit of summer even as the leaves start to fall from the trees, we've rounded up the best of our Summer Series blogs. Here they are.

Summer Nutrition: Tips and To-Dos

Here we explored 7 tips for staying healthy and fit during the summer, even when we're tempted to eat ice cream all day long. In the winter, the temptation might be hot chocolate and comfort foods, but fortunately, these tips can be used year-round.

The 7 tips for keeping fit are:

1. Grill veggies

2. Drink infused water

3. Eat in

4. Limit alcohol and caffeine intake

5. Get active, outside or inside

6. Sleep well

7. Increase your intake of seasonal fruits and veggies

Summer Sleep TipsWhen we're off-schedule in the summer, it can affect our sleeping habits. Not to mention the long days make our bodies produce less melatonin. Getting enough sleep is one of the pillars of living your best life, because without enough sleep, our bodies and minds suffer.

To maintain healthy sleep habits, we suggest the following:

1. Set a sleep schedule

2. Get enough sunshine

3. Avoid caffeine and alcohol late at night

4. Limit screen time before bed

5. Manage your room temperature

Fun Summer WorkoutsCome rain or shine, adults are recommended to get 150 minutes of aerobic exercise a week. Exercise is another requisite for leading a high-quality life. It makes us feel good, helps with weight maintenance, improves sleep, and so much more. In the summer, you can get creative with how you practice your weekly exercise.

Our favorite summer exercises are:

1. Beach Volleyball

2. Swimming

3. Water aerobics

4. SUP (stand up paddleboard) yoga

5. Walking/running on the beach

Summer Series: It's Okay to be LazyOne of the amazing things about summer is that we get to take a break from the rat race and sit back and relax. Even people who work during the summer still experience a general slowdown in their everyday pace. If you find it hard to slow down even when the atmosphere is more relaxed, check out these benefits of being "lazy."

Being lazy, aka relaxing, can:

1. Boost emotional intelligence

2. Clear up your skin

3. Increase creativity

4. Improve your health

5. Make you less prone to burnout

Summer Series: Preparing for Travel During These TimesIf you traveled by plane in the summer or plan on traveling in the future, it's important to take proper precautions during these frightening times. While you don't need to freak out, you should be prepared.

Here are our three tips for safe travels:

1. Remember social distancing rules

2. Practice proper hygiene

3. Check local restrictions

Summer Series: Staycation Ideas for the Whole FamilyIf you're not traveling but still want to feel like you've done something, a staycation is a great way to do it. With staycations, you and your family can feel like you've had a break from your typical routine and have done something memorable. You can also spend quality time with each other, a great way to strengthen your relationships.

Here are 5 staycation ideas that you can do in the summer or on a regular Saturday afternoon:

1. Backyard camping

2. Backyard waterpark

3. Las Vegas staycation

4. DIY carnival

5. Movie marathon

Summer Series: Giving Back During Your Free Time

Giving back to the community is a great way for kids to spend their time in the summer. Giving back can:

1. Improve mood

2. Relieve stress

3. Help connect with others

4. Build self-esteem

5. Decrease blood pressure and reduce mortality

All of these things are crucial for living a high quality of life, and the beauty of giving back or volunteering is that you can achieve all of these things through just one action.

Back to school? 5 Tips for Maintaining the Work-Life Balance for ParentsWhen the kids go back to school, it's a transition for them and for their parents. Parents who are working during this time may find it hard to maintain their work-life balance without feeling overwhelmed. Here are some ways to sail through the transition smoothly and sanely.

1. Identify your priorities

2. Set boundaries, eliminate distractions

3. Eat well, exercise, and sleep

4. Seek support

5. Make time for self-care

Staying Happy and Healthy Year-RoundWhen you find the time to take care of yourself and your family, whether it's through eating right, exercising, relaxing, planning fun activities, or giving back, your entire life can take on a new shine. In fact, all of these things combine together to create a high quality of life, and the more you invest in each category, the more benefits you'll reap.

At Sproutt, we care very much about living a high-quality life, which is why we encourage our readers to check their QL (quality of life) index and see where they rate. If you see that there's an area that you could improve in, there's no time like the present!

If you'd like to plan ahead and give yourself peace of mind so you can focus on the present, Sproutt insurance advisors are available to help you determine what kind of life insurance is best for you. Simply answer a few questions and we will find the best-value plan for your lifestyle, needs, and budget.