While many of us are excited that summer has finally arrived and look forward to savoring the season, countless others equally dread the onset of summertime. This is because symptoms like joint pain, anxiety, hot flashes and night sweats are often aggravated during hot and humid weather. Thankfully, there are many things we can do to reduce these symptoms and help make the heat more manageable.

Carry a fan, place a cold washcloth on your neck, or spray yourself often with water. 
Stay hydrated by drinking at least 64 ounces of pure water daily. 
Eat small, lighter meals with more raw vegetables to help keep your body cool. 
Maintain your electrolyte balance with healthy foods that are high in potassium such as avocados, celery and leafy greens. If tolerable, keep the air conditioning a few degrees higher than normal to make indoor and outdoor transitions easier. 

However, the best thing we can do is treat the underlying conditions that cause heat intolerance in the first place. There are so many ways we can support the body in healing joint pain, alleviating anxiety, and balancing hormones. With natural medicine, we can determine what is causing the symptoms in the first place such as adrenal dysfunction, blood sugar dysregulation, and autoimmune issues. After discovering the cause, we can then heal the body through nutrition, lifestyle changes, and supplementation in order to go from having the summertime blues to once again enjoying all that summer has to offer.  

Dr. Jillian Finker, ND, CNS and author of It's About Wellness, Naturally, is the founder of Finker Wellness, located at 2308 Bellmore Ave. in Bellmore, NY. For more information, call 516-765-3272 or visit DrFinker.com.