That's Fit

It always seems entirely unfair to feel even the slightest bit icky when the sun is shining and people are out at the beach and riding bikes. Sometimes all it takes are the sniffles or a sunburn to keep summer-lovers indoors begrudgingly. That's why I love this list of natural ways to prevent or respond to bugs, blisters, belly aches and heat stroke that can make good weather fun feel bad for your body.

Here are a just a few of the remedies I bet we've all wished we had at some time or another:

For post-hike blisters, apply a drop or two of tamanu oil and cover with a bandage. The botanical extract will help the blister heal up quickly with less likelihood of irritating infection.

For beach day bee stings, a paste of baking soda and water will help neutralize the bite and a single drop of lavender essential oil will help reduce the itch and pain.

For frustrating summer sniffles, prepare a steam to help break up congestion. Fill a bowl with steam-emitting water and one drop of eucalyptus essential oil, then cover your head with a towel, lean in, close your eyes and breathe deeply. The infused steam will also help moisturize a dry or irritated nose. Steam for one minute, three times a day.

For pool party sunburn relief, it always comes back to aloe vera. Choose aloe direct from the plant or a gel that's 90-100% pure aloe vera. You can whip up a soothing soak by putting one cup of powdered milk and ten drops of lavender essential oil into a container. Shake it up thoroughly, allow to sit for one day and then pour into bathwater. Heavenly.