Summer Health Tips for the Whole Family

Simple summer wellness tips to help your family stay hydrated, protected, and healthy all season long.

Stay Hydrated Throughout the Day


Hydration is one of the most important parts of summer wellness. When the weather is hot, your body loses more fluids through sweat. If those fluids are not replaced, dehydration can happen quickly. Make water your main drink throughout the day, especially if you are spending time outdoors, exercising, traveling, or attending summer events. Do not wait until you feel thirsty to start drinking water.


Signs of dehydration may include:

  • Dry mouth
  • Headache
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Dark-colored urine
  • Muscle cramps
  • Feeling lightheaded


Children may not always recognize when they are thirsty, so it is helpful to offer water often during outdoor play, sports, and pool days.


Protect Your Skin from the Sun

Sun protection is important for every age. Too much sun exposure can lead to sunburn, skin irritation, premature skin aging, and increased long-term skin health risks. Before heading outdoors, apply sunscreen and reapply as directed, especially after swimming or sweating. Hats, sunglasses, shade, and lightweight protective clothing can also help reduce sun exposure.


Simple ways to protect your skin include:

  • Applying sunscreen before going outside
  • Reapplying sunscreen during long outdoor activities
  • Wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes
  • Using hats or visors for extra coverage
  • Taking shade breaks when possible


Even on cloudy days, UV rays can still affect your skin, so sunscreen should remain part of your summer routine.


Avoid Too Much Time in Peak Heat

The hottest part of the day is often when the sun is strongest and outdoor activity feels the most draining. If possible, try to schedule walks, sports, yard work, and outdoor play earlier in the morning or later in the evening. When you are outside during hot weather, take breaks in the shade or indoors. This is especially important for children, older adults, and anyone with asthma, heart conditions, diabetes, high blood pressure, or other health concerns.


If your family has outdoor plans, consider packing:

  • Water bottles
  • Sunscreen
  • Hats or sunglasses
  • Light snacks
  • A small towel
  • Cooling cloths
  • Any needed medications


Planning ahead can help prevent avoidable summer health issues.


Know the Signs of Heat Exhaustion

Heat exhaustion can happen when the body gets too hot and struggles to cool itself down. This can occur after long periods in the heat, intense activity, dehydration, or not taking enough breaks.


Common signs of heat exhaustion may include:

  • Heavy sweating
  • Weakness
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Muscle cramps
  • Cool or clammy skin
  • Feeling faint
  • Fast heartbeat


If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion, move them to a cooler area, encourage small sips of water, loosen tight clothing, and allow them to rest. If symptoms are severe, do not improve, or include confusion, fainting, chest pain, or trouble breathing, seek medical care right away.


Keep Kids Safe During Summer Activities

Summer can be busy for families, especially with camps, sports, swimming, travel, and outdoor events. Kids may be more focused on playing than drinking water or taking breaks, so they often need reminders. Parents and caregivers can help by encouraging water breaks, applying sunscreen before outdoor activities, packing healthy snacks, and watching for signs that a child is overheated or unusually tired.


For pool days and water activities, supervision is also essential. Children should always be watched closely around pools, lakes, beaches, and other bodies of water.


Support Healthy Summer Eating

Summer schedules can make meals less predictable, especially during vacations, cookouts, and family gatherings. While it is normal to enjoy seasonal foods, balance can help support energy, digestion, blood sugar, and overall wellness.


Try to include:

  • Lean proteins
  • Fruits and vegetables
  • Water-rich foods like watermelon, cucumbers, and berries
  • Whole grains when possible
  • Healthy snacks for travel or long days out


If you or a family member has diabetes, prediabetes, high blood pressure, or weight management goals, planning ahead can make summer eating easier to manage.


Stay on Track With Medications and Checkups

Travel, summer events, and busy routines can make it easier to forget medications, appointments, or regular health habits. If you take daily medication, use a reminder system, pill organizer, or travel bag to keep everything organized.


Summer is also a great time to schedule a wellness visit, especially if you are due for:

  • A physical
  • Blood pressure check
  • Diabetes or A1C follow-up
  • Medication review
  • School or sports physical
  • Weight management support
  • Preventive health screening


Preventive care can help catch concerns early and keep your family’s health on track.


Enjoy Summer Safely


A little prevention can go a long way in helping your family enjoy the season. Drinking enough water, using sunscreen, avoiding too much time in extreme heat, and paying attention to symptoms can help reduce the risk of common summer health problems. At Advocare Unity Health Center, we are here to support your family’s health in every season.


If you have health concerns this summer or are due for a wellness visit, call today to schedule an appointment.

August 14, 2026
Flu season happens every year, and preparing early can help protect your health, your family, and your community. At Unity Health Center in Pennsauken, NJ , we encourage patients to make annual flu vaccination part of their regular preventive care routine. Whether you are scheduling for yourself, your child, or your family, a flu shot appointment is a simple step that can help reduce the risk of serious illness during flu season. Why Flu Shots Are Important The flu is more than a common cold. It can cause fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches, fatigue, headache, congestion, and worsening symptoms for people with certain health conditions. For some patients, the flu can also lead to more serious complications, especially for young children, older adults, pregnant women, and people with chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease, COPD, or weakened immune systems. An annual flu shot can help lower your risk of severe illness and may help protect the people around you, including family members, coworkers, classmates, and neighbors who may be more vulnerable. When Should You Get a Flu Shot? Most patients should receive a flu shot once each year before flu activity becomes widespread in the community. Because flu season can vary from year to year, it is a good idea to talk with your primary care provider about the best time to schedule your vaccine. Planning ahead is especially important for families, caregivers, school-aged children, older adults, and anyone with ongoing health concerns. If you are unsure when to schedule your flu shot, the team at Unity Health Center can help guide you. Who Should Consider a Flu Shot Appointment? Annual flu vaccination is recommended for most people, but it can be especially important for patients who may be at higher risk for complications. You should consider scheduling a flu shot appointment if you: Have asthma, diabetes, heart disease, COPD, or another chronic condition Are pregnant or planning pregnancy Are age 65 or older Care for young children, older adults, or someone with health concerns Work in healthcare, childcare, education, or a public-facing role Have a weakened immune system Want to reduce the risk of bringing flu home to your family Your provider can help determine which vaccine option is appropriate based on your age, health history, and individual needs. Flu Prevention Tips for Families Getting your flu shot is an important part of flu prevention, but it is not the only step you can take. Healthy everyday habits can also help reduce the spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses. To help protect yourself and others: Wash your hands often Cover coughs and sneezes Stay home when you are sick Avoid close contact with people who are ill Clean frequently touched surfaces Get enough rest Stay hydrated Contact your provider if symptoms worsen or you are at higher risk for complications If you develop flu-like symptoms, especially fever, body aches, cough, fatigue, or shortness of breath, contact your healthcare provider for guidance. Flu Shots and Preventive Care Flu vaccination is one part of a larger preventive care plan. During your visit, your provider may also review your health history, medications, chronic conditions, wellness goals, and any other vaccines or screenings that may be recommended. At Unity Health Center, we provide bilingual primary care in Pennsauken, NJ for adults and families who want compassionate, personalized support. Our team is here to help you stay proactive about your health throughout every season. Schedule Your Flu Shot in Pennsauken, NJ If you are looking for flu shots in Pennsauken, NJ , Unity Health Center is here to help make preventive care easier for you and your family. Schedule your flu vaccine appointment today using the appointment link, or call our office to speak with our bilingual care team.
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