The season is in full swing. As the weather heats up, so does the lineup of summer festivals.
There’s nothing that feels more like summer than the warmth of sunshine on your face, listening to the newest tunes, surrounded by a group of your closest mates. But throw in some often-greasy festival food and a few expensive cans of beer, multiplied by each festival weekend, and you’ve got yourself a slightly unhealthy season ahead.
The good news is, you don’t have to forgo the epic season of summer music festivals or your health goals with the proper preparation in place.
Summer is undeniably a season where you want to look and feel your best, and with these helpful tips, you’ll be making the most of every sun-filled weekend at a festival.
Eat a Delicious, Nutritious Breakfast
You’re going to need a whole lot of energy to dance on your feet all day and night long. Fuel up first thing in the morning with a big feed, such as poached eggs on multigrain toast, or if you prefer something quicker to digest, opt for a smoothie packed with healthy fats and protein to keep you alert.
Meditate Before the Festival Kicks Off
At home or on route, breathe and centre yourself before a big day of socialising. Festivals can be overwhelming for even the most confident, so if you know you can get a little off-centre when it comes to crowds, get grounded and try a meditation technique or alternative pre-festival.
Drink Water Between Alcoholic Beverages
Whether you’re sipping on a tin of cider or sharing a cool jug of Pimms with your friends, between each drink, chug down some H20. Make a pact with your friends that you’ll each carry bottled water and drink half the bottle between every alcoholic beverage. Every good festival has a number of hydration stations where you can refill your bottle or rehydrate at a water fountain.
Take Drinking Out of the Equation
With so many jam-packed festival lineups in the coming months, it’s hard to pick just one -- especially when there’s friends involved. But in reality, hitting the booze at each festival will eat up your weekends in the sun more than what’s desirable. So take it easy and bring your happy, summery vibes to the festival alcohol-free. Many festivals are well-equipped with a juice van or a lemonade stand -- you’ll keep hydrated and you can decreased the risk of waking up with a headache significantly.
Dance Like No One is Watching
An all-day gym class, but way more fun! Rework your mindset for your next festival and use the music and energy to get in a workout. Jump around, throw your arms in the air, and most importantly, have fun! You’ll be working up a sweat in no time, and with the added bonus of a Vitamin D injection.
Be Sun-smart and Reapply Often
All this talk of basking in the sunshine and no talk of protecting your skin. This is absolutely crucial if you want to end summer on a healthy high. It’s easy to forget after being out in the sun all day, dancing and enjoying yourself, the damage it can do to your health. Bring a tube of travel sunscreen with you to each festival, reapplying often.
Other sun-smart essentials:
- Wearing a cap will ensure your scalp with remain unscathed and it will collect any sweat you work up from dancing.
- Sunglasses are not just a fashion statement -- make sure you have a pair handy that have appropriate UV protection. You don’t want to be squinting all day or damaging your eyesight.
Eat as Clean as Possible
If there’s a healthy option, take it. As fit and healthy living becomes more prevalent amongst young people, more festivals are taking chances on vendors with gluten free, vegan and salad options. Think of the feeling you’ll get with a stomach full of hot chips or gozleme -- not very nice when you’re trying to bust a move on the dance floor.
Get snack-happy.
Do your research before each festival and take note whether or not you can bring in any external food into the venue. Just like a sports grounds, you may be allowed to pack a few muesli bars or sandwiches to re-energise you throughout the day.
Other easy-to-pack healthy snacks:
- Bananas -- filled with potassium
- Oranges, mandarins -- packed with vitamin C, as you get amongst the crowds
- Hummus and cucumbers -- easy to carry, great source of protein, fibre and hydration
- Almonds -- a delicious energy booster
Take a peep at what your favourite healthy living Instagrammers are doing this festival season. You may just find the inspiration you need to kickstart your summer health goals.
The most important advice you’ll get for living out a healthy festival season is simple: stay safe, stay hydrated and make conscious eating choices. Get groovin’, summer lovers!
