Black and Healthy This Summer

Summertime is here, and it is time to get out your gear.  Like any other time of year, we want you to think about doing the things that make you happy and healthy.  Summer is usually full of sunlight here in Colorado.  Too much sun can be bad, but the right dose can be healing.  Just the right balance of sun exposure can have lots of mood elevating benefits.  Colorado Black Health Collaborative (CBHC) wants to share some healthful tips that will keep you on the right path.

Want to be healthy this summer?   Here’s a few ways to do that:

Attend the CBHC Block Party on Saturday, August 24^th from 1-5 pm at the Dahlia Campus for Health & Well-being located at 3401 Eudora Street, Denver, CO  80207. 

This is no ordinary family affair, it is about coming home

There will be laughing, dancing, learning

You can be massaged, groomed, and blood pressure checked.

There be Food Trucks,

Demos, Diplomats, and DJ’s,

Prizes and Giveaways

Make this your summer treat

Tell your friends and don’t forget to post and tweet

It promises to be sweet

Be there if you dare

Rethink your drink.  Water is the best.  Less of the rest.

The summer heat can drain you and you can become dehydrated.  So, try to drink 8 glasses of water or more if you are sweating a lot in the heat.  If plain water doesn’t turn you on, try adding cucumbers, lime, or another piece of fruit that you like.  If your taste buds are still resistant to water, try the CBHC red drink:  ½ red juice of any kind, 1/2 seltzer water,  plus a twist of lime.

Get out doors, get dirty, and get some sun. 

Gardening, planting a garden is a fun way to accomplish this.

Get a nice hat, great sunglasses and some stylish gloves

to set the tone.  Sunlight activates a special area on your retina

(very back of the eye) which then triggers serotonin release.

Serotonin release can boost your mood and make you feel calm

and focused.  This effect does not cost you a dime and there are

no unwanted side effects.

Eat some healthy summer meals.

Fill half your plate with vegetables.  Bake or grill your food.

Try this smoothie recipe: https://fruitsandveggies.org/recipes/creamy-berry-peach-smoothie/.

Melons are great and refreshing in the summer-time.  This website gives you endless possibilities to have some healthy meals this summer – https://fruitsandveggies.org/fruits-and-veggies/.

Schedule a relaxing vacation.

True vacation time can lower your blood pressure and heart rate as well as decrease your stress.  Make sure to get some good sleep while on vacation.  If your budget won’t allow you to get away on that dream vacation, then find a good book that can take you to an exciting or romantic place.  Stay away from the sad tales.

Stomp the butts.

Don’t let cigarettes or vaping products

rule your life and take your

precious dollars.  Tobacco use is the

#1 cause of preventable disease,

disability, and death for African

Americans.  Want help to quit?

Call the Colorado Quitline @ 1.800.QUIT.NOW.

Get off the couch and do something active.

Summer is the perfect time to swim, or just walk in the pool.  There are endless hiking or biking trails.  You don’t have to be an expert.  Wearing something bright and sunny can get you in the mood for these activities.  If you go to through the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Guide (www.cpw.state.co.us) you can find out about the many places you can go to enjoy the beautiful diversity of the outdoor offerings in Colorado.

These are just a few tips brought to you by the Colorado Black Health Collaborative.  We want to help you be Black & Healthy.  Go to our website to find out more about us @ www.coloradoblackhealth.org.

Here are more tips from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/infographic/healthy-summer.htm.

Buy a ticket to our GALA, Laughter is Good for Your Health and get your Health on!  https://coloradoblackhealth.org/gala/.  Supporting this event will help us to be Black & Healthy.

Dr. Terri Richardson

Colorado Black Health Collaborative