We love so much about summer in our vibrant Austin, Texas city—the sunshine, all the outdoor activities, the farmers’ markets, the longer days, and our outdoor barbeques. But we’ve also noticed (and maybe you have too) that it’s not always as easy on our bodies as it looks on the surface. Between the heat, travel, changes in routine, and even just sweating more, summer can throw things off from from our sleep and digestion to energy, mood, and even hormones. Our wellness experts are breaking down the good and the not-so-great effects of summer—what lifts us up and what can throw us off.

🌞 The Bright Side: Health Benefits of Summer

1. Natural Vitamin D Surge
With longer days, sun exposure helps your body synthesize vitamin D, which plays a role in:
• Bone strength
• Immune defense
• Hormone regulation
• Mood stability
But balance is key. Excessive UV exposure can undo such benefits.

2. Mood Elevation & Mental Energy (Test your neurotransmitter levels with the Neuro Focus 2 at-home test kit, found at your local Peoples!)
Sunlight increases serotonin levels, leading to better mood, sharper thinking, and reduced symptoms of depression or seasonal affective disorder. Serotonin is considered the master neurotransmitter as it orchestrates all other neurotransmitters. When serotonin is depleted, it is common to experience issues with mood, focus, nervousness, sugar/carb cravings, and sleep cycle disturbances. Serotonin can become depleted when experiencing high emotional or physical stress or from long-term gut issues caused by food sensitivities (such as to gluten or dairy) or an imbalance in the gut microbiome. 

3. Better Circulation Through Heat-Induced Vasodilation
Heat causes blood vessels to expand (vasodilation), improving circulation. This can be helpful for people with cold extremities or mild hypertension.

🔍 The Not-So-Obvious Health Effects of Summer

1. Summer SAD (Yes, It Exists)
While most people associate SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) with cold, dark winters, Summer SAD is a form of seasonal depression that occurs in the summer months. It usually begins in late spring or early summer and improves in fall or winter.

Summer-onset SAD can trigger:
• Insomnia (We recommend Deep Sleep.) A combination of sleep promoting herbs that increase the amount of GABA in the brain to calm the nervous system.  Passionflower in particular can turn off a racing mind and when combined with valerian and other calming herbs, helps improve the body’s ability to fall and stay asleep at night.  
• Irritability (We recommend NutriDyn Stress Essentials Calm.) Contains the amino acids L-Theanine and GABA that produce a calming effect in the brain and body by increasing levels of GABA in the brain, the main neurotransmitter that reduces excess stimulation and creates a calm, focused feeling of well-being.  
• Anxiety (We recommend Lavela WS 1265 60 softgels.) Clinically studied, lavender essential oil (Lavendula angustifolia) has been shown to promote relaxation, foster sleep quality in those experiencing occasional anxiety, calm nervousness, and support general mental health. The chemical compounds in lavender interact with key neurotransmitter receptor sites that induce a calming effect in the nervous system.  
• Appetite loss (We recommend Swedish Bitters.) Contains a blend of bitters that stimulates the production of digestive enzymes and bile that helps the body process food more efficiently. Also triggers the release of hormones, such as cholecystokinin (CCK), that regulate appetite.

2. Gut Health Fluctuations (For relief, we recommend NutriDyn Binder Pro.)
NutriDyn Binder Pro supports gut health by helping bind and eliminate toxins, byproducts, and environmental stressors that can disrupt your microbiome, especially during periods of stress, travel, or dietary shifts. This contains zeolite and activated charcoal that binds toxins and gas-producing byproducts associated with microbial imbalances in the GI tract for removal.  By removing these compounds, it helps to ease GI discomfort such as gas and bloating.  

Heat and travel can disturb digestion. Add in dehydration, irregular meals, and increased alcohol, and your gut microbiome can suffer. Common outcomes include:
• Bloating
• Constipation or diarrhea
• Increased food sensitivities

3. Increased Risk of UTIs and Yeast Infections (As a preventative, we recommend Microbiome Labs Vaginal Balance with Cranberry Extract.)
Microbiome Labs Vaginal Balance with Cranberry Extract contains five Lactobacillus probiotic strains that promote a healthy vaginal microbiome, balance unwanted yeast overgrowth, and optimize vaginal pH.  It also includes cranberry to help reduce the risk of urinary tract infections.  

Hot, humid environments + tight or sweaty clothing = a perfect breeding ground for bacteria and yeast. Especially common in women during summer, due to:
• Bathing suits worn too long
• More outdoor workouts
• Increased sweating in the groin area

4. Melatonin Suppression from Late Sunsets (We recommend Pure Encapsulations Melatonin SR.)
Pure Encapsulations Melatonin SR provides a sustained-release dose of melatonin to support a more natural sleep cycle. It helps you fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer, making it especially helpful during the lighter summer months when melatonin production may be delayed.

Extended daylight delays melatonin release, which can:
• Disrupt circadian rhythms
• Interfere with sleep onset
• Reduce sleep quality
This is especially noticeable in kids and people sensitive to light.

5. Electrolyte Imbalances (We recommend BrainTree Brain Water.)
When your body loses too much water through sweat, heat, exercise, or illness it also loses key minerals called electrolytes (like sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium). Sweating doesn’t just lose water—it flushes sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium. BrainTree Brain Water is a targeted electrolyte supplement designed not just for hydration, but also for mental performance and cellular balance. It contains key electrolytes to replenish what’s lost through sweat or stress, it supports brain and nerve function, and even better, it is a clean and sugar-free formula unlike many mainstream electrolyte drinks. Replenishing these electrolytes ensures water is getting inside your cells. They are the key to the lock that allows water inside the cells where it’s needed for proper hydration. It’s recommended to drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water daily (ex. 150 lbs / 2 = 75 oz.) 

Common signs of imbalance include:
• Headaches
• Muscle cramps
• Fatigue
• Dizziness
Plain water alone won’t replenish these. Consider adding natural electrolyte powders to your drinks.

6. Photosensitivity from Medications and Supplements
Some common meds and natural products increase sun sensitivity, leading to faster burning or rashes. Watch out for:
• Antibiotics (e.g., doxycycline)
• NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen)
• St. John’s Wort
• Retinoids or acids in skincare
Always check labels or consult your pharmacist.

7. Air Quality Worsens with Heat
Smog, wildfire smoke, and ozone pollution often spike in summer due to stronger sunlight, higher temperatures, and increased emissions from travel, energy use, and wildfires. This can cause aggravating side effects such as:
• Asthma (We recommend Ridgecrest Herbals Clear Lungs.) Ridgecrest Herbals Clear Lungs combines traditional Chinese herbs, antioxidants, and respiratory-supporting ingredients to help open airways, reduce inflammation, and support overall lung function. It’s a great option for those looking for natural relief and daily support during high-risk summer months.
• Allergies (We recommend Quicksilver’s Hista-Aid.) Hista-Aid is a fast-acting blend designed to modulate histamine response and support a healthy inflammatory balance. With ingredients like quercetin, vitamin C, and dihydroquercetin in a highly absorbable liposomal form, it helps ease allergy symptoms without the drowsiness of traditional antihistamines.
• Cardiovascular stress (We recommend Magnesium Taurate.) Magnesium Taurate combines magnesium, which supports healthy blood pressure and relaxation of blood vessels, with taurine, an amino acid known to promote heart rhythm stability and calm the nervous system. Together, they help ease cardiovascular stress and support overall heart health—especially during the heat and intensity of summer.

🔥 Common Summer Health Pitfalls
• Dehydration
• Sunburn
• Insect bites & tick-borne diseases
• Heat exhaustion or heatstroke
• Disrupted sleep

🌿 Smart Tips for a Healthier Summer

✅ Hydrate with minerals: Add lemon, mint, or a pinch of salt to water. (We recommend Premier Research Labs Pink Salt.) Premier Research Labs Pink Salt provides a natural source of essential minerals like sodium, potassium, and trace elements that support optimal hydration, electrolyte balance, and energy. Adding a pinch to your water helps your body absorb fluids more effectively and keeps you feeling refreshed and replenished.
✅ Wear breathable fabrics: Avoid synthetics that trap heat and moisture.
✅ Eat for cooling: Incorporate cucumber, mint, leafy greens, berries, watermelon and coconut.
✅ Use blackout curtains: Encourage melatonin production for better sleep.
✅ Mind your meds: Ask your doctor or pharmacist about photosensitivity.
✅ Don’t skip probiotics: Take especially if you’re traveling or changing your diet. (One we like: Xymogen ProbioMax Daily DF.) Xymogen ProBioMax Daily DF delivers a potent, daily dose of beneficial bacteria to help maintain digestive balance, support immune health, and promote regularity—especially during times when your routine (and your gut) are off track.
✅ Change out of wet clothes quickly: Lingering in damp swimwear or sweaty workout gear creates a warm, moist environment that can encourage bacterial or yeast overgrowth, leading to skin irritation, rashes, or infections.

Stop by Peoples today for a happy, healthy summer! ☀️