The start of spring is always a good time to take a look at your lifestyle habits and see what positive change you can make for optimal health. Here are three ways to take care of yourself as the weather gets warmer and the days get longer.

Protect your skin
Spring’s blue skies and sunny days mean that most of us will be spending more time outside – and sun protection needs to be a priority. If you don’t have a skin care routine, get into the habit of putting on a good quality sun screen of around 30 SPF before you leave the house. Keep a hat and light, long-sleeve top in your car so you have extra protection if you need it. And stick to shaded areas if you’re going to be outside for an extended period of time.

Drink more water
We all know that drinking enough water is essential for good health, but here’s a look at some of the specific benefits of good old H2O:

• Helps to maintain the balance of body fluids
• Can help to control calorie intake
• Helps to energise muscles
• Helps to keep skin looking good
• Helps your kidneys
• Helps maintain normal bowel function

(Source: webmd.com)

If most of your fluid intake comes from tea, coffee or juices, try to swap out some of these drinks for plain water. You can also pop in a slice of lemon or a sprig of mint for added flavour.

Get enough sleep
Beautiful spring evenings might tempt you to stay up later than usual, but getting enough sleep will help you enjoy all the new season has to offer. According to Medical News Today, some of the benefits of sufficient shut-eye include better productivity and concentration, lower risk of heart disease and weight gain, better social and emotional intelligence, a stronger immune system and better athletic performance. So how much sleep do you really need? The National Sleep Foundation recommends that older adults get seven to eight hours per night.