It’s summer time here in Los Angeles and it’s getting hotter everyday. Manila, however, has been experiencing rain these past few weeks. A good friend posted some baha (tagalog for flood) videos which made me smile and look back at memories back in the day.

 

Anyway, most Angelinos are trying to cool down by hitting the beach this summer. I already checked out the beach scene a couple of weeks ago and it was a treat. Cool breeze, beach volleyball, hot bodies, need I say more?

 

Here are some simple tips to make your summer more fun and less painful (you don’t want ‘em sunburn, eh?)

 

1. SPF. People, I say this all the time. But bear with me. Every visit to my dermatologist is a reminder that the sun is the number one enemy of our skin. Plus, skin cancer is a very important issue since most of the people here are into getting their tan. There’s a healthy way to do it, and yes, it includes sun block.

 

Also, try those moisturizers with SPF. Not only does it hydrate your skin, it also protects it from the sun’s harmful rays. You may also wear a cap/hat or use an umbrella for prolonged sun exposure.

 

2. Keep your body hydrated. Drink lots of water since we tend to sweat more during the summer. Especially when you’re working out or hiking, make sure that you have enough water at hand at all times.

 

3. It’s the time to indulge in your summer reading list. Personally, I think that everyone should have a list of the books that they want to read. This makes it easier to actually lift a book and start reading it compared to just saying in your mind that you want to read something. Post it in your room or office and make those boxes where you could place a check mark once you’ve finished reading it. Trust me, the feeling of checking off something from that list is great.

 

If you’re not really a bookworm, try reading at least one book during the summer. This will help you become more interested in reading more books in the future. Also, if you are able to (which is hard for most students), try reading fall textbooks in advance. It’ll work wonders come first few weeks of classes.

 

4. Meditate. Sounds hippy-ish right? But really, working the mind and the body is great but we also need to nourish the spirit. Either by praying or by simply quietly meditating (focusing on deep breaths), this creates a peaceful surrounding. We are then able to focus on things that need to be accomplished and think more clearly.

 

5. Have fun with your friends and family. For most of us, this is when we have the luxury to be more flexible with our schedules.

 

So yeah, enjoy the summer, relax, and be safe y’all!