Summer is such a fun time of the year! I love this time of the year because I’m able to get out into nature more. Fall is by far my favorite time of the year, but summer…it just moves differently.
Each year, we try to indulge in one big family vacation. Whether it’s a two-week road trip or a three-day weekend, we make the most of the time we have together when the weather is bright, sunny, and most of the time, hot. We’re actually still in the recoup phase of our long road trip for this summer. We’ll eventually move out of our recovery phase and get one more outing in before August comes knocking. After all, summer isn’t complete without a camping stint in the woods.
If you’re family likes to play in the sun, trek across country, or spend a long weekend in the woods, I’ve got some tips to share with you to keep your summer excursions fun, safe, and healthy! Because regardless of what you get yourself into, no one wants to spend time in pain or discomfort, and definitely not bent over a garbage can or toilet. These are my go-to essential oils, natural products, and supplements that can make your summer excursions even better!
CAMPING
John Muir is one of my favorite people. He was an activist for our national parks and is known as the “Father of our National Parks”. He played a key role in helping establish Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. His writings were significant in shaping our modern conservation movements. One of my favorite quotes from Muir is “The mountains are calling and I must go”. These words resonate in me, I feel them deeply.
I feel very privileged and fortunate to live in a place where I can walk out my door and turn to the east and see our beautiful mountains. Every day is a new experience. I love spending time in nature. I love the mountains! They are so majestic! How they came to be, how they are formed, overwhelms me with gratitude to have them be the backdrop of my daily life. And when I can drive to the mountains and submerge myself in them, it’s one of the most amazing healing experiences for me.
So…back to camping…
If you’re a seasoned camper, you probably don’t need a piece of paper to go through to make sure you have all the needed supplies. If you’re a seasoned camper, you probably have one or two designated bins already packed with your camping gear, like cooking utensils, first aid kit, lanterns, propane tanks, etc.
If you’re a newbie to this type of excursion, or just someone who likes to be super prepared, I highly recommend this comprehensive list from REI. It covers everything you need, from tents to batteries to hygiene to clothes. Again, very comprehensive. And probably a much closer look at my personality type, because let me tell you, I love this list! I’ve made it my own by modifying it to our needs and taped it to the lid of one of our camping bins. I find it super helpful when gathering our supplies. It makes it easier for me to pack and ready the troops. It also helps me prepare for any emergent situations and ensures I have the tools that I need.
Once you gather your gear, you’ll want to gather your essential oils and other natural products. These are the items that I keep stored in our camping bin.
Of course, sunscreen is a must! We’ve been blessed to have this beautiful doTERRA sun Line available to us! It’s a mineral sunscreen that actually works. My favorite item in this line is the Face + Body Mineral Sunscreen Stick. It goes on so smoothly and it absorbs so quickly into the skin. I love that my face doesn’t break out with this! This stick offers SPF 40 UVA and UVB broad-spectrum protection and it’s small enough to add to backpacks and first aid kits. The Body Mineral Sunscreen Spray is our family favorite. It’s easy to apply and it doesn’t feel heavy on the skin. It absorbs so easily and quickly. What I really love about this sun Line is that it is vegan-friendly, cruelty-free, and reef-safe formulas. They are also formulated without oxybenzone, chemical sunscreen filters, parabens, phthalates, and other harsh, synthetic ingredients.
TerraShield Spray is our insect repellent spray. It has been proven to naturally repel mosquitoes. This all-natural blend combines Citronella, Lemongrass, Thyme, Cedarwood, Geranium, and Peppermint essential oils in a sesame seed oil base. It’s also available in a 15 mL bottle to use around your tent doors, your picnic table or portable diffuser.
You’ll also need some Peppermint essential oil to help keep you cool. You can take a couple of drops and rub on your neck when you’re feeling overheated. The cooling sensation is amazing! You can also add a few drops to a spray bottle with water and spray on arms, legs, backs, etc., to help cool you down all over. Peppermint is one of those powerhouse oils that you can use for just about anything at your campsite. You can put a couple of drops around your picnic table or around your coolers to keep ants and bugs away. You can rub a little over your abdomen for tummy aches or on your temples for headaches. This all-around Swiss army knife should definitely live in your first aid kits.
Some other considerations:
Serenity Restful Complex is perfect for those of you who do not sleep well outside of your home or outside of your bed. Consider taking one or two softgels about 30 minutes before bedtime. It will help get you to that place of sleep while keeping you from feeling groggy the next day.
Helichrysum Touch is by far one of the best oils to have in your first aid kit for any skin abrasions, burns that you may have encountered around that campfire, bites, or scrapes. Whatever’s going on, have this as your first line of defense. And after you roll that sucker on, add a drop of Correct-X over it. You can also use this roller at night as your simple, natural skin care on the go.
Correct-X is our natural ointment with the soothing power of five celebrated essential oils. This ointment supports to distressed skin. It keeps skin clean and moisturized while it is recovering from irritation or distress. This formula nourishes the skin, calms irritation, and provides a moisture barrier that helps protect the skin.
BONUS! Download our free Camp Snacks Recipe ebook for some easy-to-make tasty treats to share on the road and at your campsite!
ROADTRIPS
I love road trips! I love that you can set the mood for your trip with the music blaring from your car speakers and the oils being diffused. Another major item that sets the mood for the drive is snackage. I usually pack enough to get us through the first leg or day of our trip. If we’ve gone through the snacks that were initially packed or we’ve stopped for refueling, I like to find a grocery store close by to replenish our stash rather than buying from a convenience store. I can get more for my buck by getting bigger sizes and more natural and healthy options.
Before we get on the road, my husby makes sure that our vehicle is road-ready. This definitely is not my area of expertise or interest, so I’m grateful that this is his area of genius. He spends days in advance of our leave date getting our vehicle and everything that comes with it ready to go. I know that he checks tires because I remember buying new tires for our most recent road trip. I also know that an oil change happens, and something about fluids is looked at. I also know that we have insurance coverage for roadside assistance and we’re members of triple A. If your partner or family member knows about car things, lean on them heavily for this part of road trip prep. If not, I encourage you to find someone who does. Triple A has a short list on their website to get you started on your vehicle prep for travel.
Our budget for such trips is set at least a year in advance. This gives us plenty of time to start saving so we can make the most of our trips. At least a month or two before we’re scheduled for takeoff, we map out an itinerary. This includes total hours and mileage to our destination, and includes points of interest along the route. We set a reasonable daily mileage goal and break down a behind-the-wheel schedule. This may seem a bit too much, but I must share with you what happened on our very first cross-country road trip.
Summer of 2016. My type A personality has me needing to always be in control. (For the record, these days my type A is not so colorful. It’s become a little muted, especially in these long road trip situations.) I had a really tough time relinquishing the wheel to my husby. By the time we made it to Minnesota (14 hours on the road), I had to pull over and have a good, cleansing crying fit. I was so exhausted. But I had brought that on myself because I wasn’t willing to relinquish some of that responsibility. So now, we definitely have set times we’re each driving, with driver changes happening when we need to refuel. This has really worked for us! It’s also good practice to plan your routes by taking into consideration construction, rush hour in major cities, turnpikes or tollways, and specifically for us, hotels that are pet-friendly. Some afterthoughts before I move on to our must-have oils and supplements: Let someone know where you are going! Share your itinerary with someone you trust and check in to let them know you have arrived at your destination. Refill your prescription medicines! Things happen on the road. Things get left behind. Things get lost. Make sure you have enough of whatever medication you are taking to cover you for your trip. And make sure you can access your script on the road.
Okay, now for some road trip essentials to include in your car first aid kit:
WATERPARKS
Definitely have sunscreen and apply it often since you’ll be in and out of the water.
Make sure to stay hydrated. Water is best and limit the amount of sugary drinks.
Dress appropriately: water shoes, hats, sun shirts, etc.
Know the four “too’s”: too tired, too cold, too far from safety, to0 exposed.
Wash hands often. You may think just because you’re submerged in water for most of the day, you’re pretty clean. You’re not. The chemicals that they use to clean the slides the equipment and even the chlorine in the water are very harsh. So before you head to the concession stand, give your hands a wash.
The American Safety Council suggests that children under 48 inches tall should use a life vest. Most parents think that the arm floaties are enough protection for their kids. They are not. If a child is struggling in the water, they become tired. If they succumb to fatigue and inhaling too much water, their bodies can submerge in the water with only their body parts with the floaties staying above water.
The last thing I’ll mention about safety: It is the PARENT’S responsibility to watch their child. Yes, there are lifeguards at water parks. But there are also tons of kids, each with their own agenda of fun. And theirs equipment that can obscure a guard’s line of sight. Accidents happen, but minimize them happening to you or your child by actively watching out for your own.
Now, here’s a short list of some oils and products to include in your duffle:
We’ve already looked at the sun Body Mineral Sunscreen Spray, a definite must-have for any summer excursion. But something to consider for your water park outing is the doTERRA sun After Sun Restorative Body Spray. This spray contains plant-based ingredients like Japanese green tea, hyaluronic acid, and an essential oil blend of Copaiba, Lavender, Peppermint, Helichrysum, and Frankincense. These oils are amazing for skin! The spray is soothing and restorative to weathered skin.
Once again we’re packing in Peppermint essential oil for its cooling benefits and to provide digestion and pain support.
If you plan on spending a full day at a water park (or swimming pool), keep in mind that they have to treat the water with a lot of harsh chemicals. The more exposure we have to them, the more likely those chemicals will seep into our system. Consider taking a Zendocrine softgel in the morning. These are small enough so that even those who have trouble swallowing can take one. If you have littles or those who cannot swallow a softgel, use Zendocrine Detoxification Blend instead. Dilute 1 drop of this essential oil blend with 5 to 10 drops of a carrier oil and rub it on the bottoms of the feet. This blend will help the body process all those harsh chemicals and help the body cleanse itself from toxins and free radicals.
P.S. Zendocrine is also great for adult overindulgence! Take one or two softgels before bed after a day of binge drinking and minimize the effects in the morning. You’re welcome!
Hand and Body Lotion is the last on our short list for water parks. It’s not sunscreen, but so wonderful for your skin. Our skin takes a beating from constant hand washing, constant sun or wind exposure. doTERRA spa Hand & Body Lotion is a light, non-greasy formula that absorbs quickly into the skin. This lotion contains jojoba and macadamia seed oils, murumuru and theobroma seed butters, and nourishing plant extracts. It’s unscented and can be used all over.
BEACH
Our last summer excursion to tackle is the beach. Next to the mountains, the beach is my second favorite escape. The sound of the waves crashing, the smell of the salt in the air, the taste of it on your lips…perfect! My beach bag contains a book, a beach towel, a water bottle, and my phone. The rest of the necessities are packed in a cooler and bin. We don’t make it to the beach as often as I wish. (I plan to change this in the near future) But when we do make it out there, we spend all day, every day on the sand. Besides reading and listening to music, I like to play volleyball, frisbee, and get in an early morning barefoot run. Beach evenings are definitely made for long, slow walks.
The American Red Cross has this short list of Top Things to Know for Beach Safety:
Always swim in a lifeguarded area.
Never swim alone, regardless of your age or level of swimming skills.
Keep within your fitness and swimming capabilities.
Be aware of weather and water conditions and heed warnings.
There’s an excellent article on their website. They also provide different resources. Once you finish reading this article, get yourself over to their website.
Besides the obvious essentials that are needed, like sunscreen, Peppermint essential oil, and Correct-X, there are a few other items we must have at the beach:
If I’m not reading or swimming, I’m playing a sport on the sand. Most likely volleyball. And because my knees are older than my age, I always carry my Deep Blue Stick. It’s what helps me run, jump, bend, dive, without discomfort or swelling. I like to apply it before and after I play. This topical analgesic contains plant-based menthol, methyl salicylate, and camphor that provide a deep, cooling sensation. Deep Blue Stick is quick-drying and doesn’t sit on your skin. It provides temporary relief from aches and pains associated with backaches, arthritis, sprains, strains, and bruises. Such a game changer for bodies in motion!
Copaiba softgels are my family’s first reach for pain. Each softgel contains two drops of Copaiba essential oil. Copaiba contains the highest levels of β-Caryophyllene (BCP) among currently known essential oils. BCP is a chemical constituent that selectively binds to CB2 receptors in the endocannabinoid system (ECS)—a signaling and regulating system comprised of enzymes, receptor sites in the body, and endocannabinoids produced by the body. The ECS acts as a major regulator of human health. Research indicates the BCP in Copaiba essential oil binds to these receptors and aids healthy immune and inflammatory responses when taken internally. The support that Copaiba gives to the nervous system is off the charts! Whenever any one of us has their limit of peopling or exposure to the elements, or has a headache or bump or bruise, we reach for this softgel. We take one or two to help with aches, physical overwhelm, fatigue, exhaustion, you name it. We keep a bottle of these softgels in our first aid kit, our vehicle, our toiletry bag, and our backpacks.
The last essential for the beach is MetaPWR Recharge Electrolyte Mix. This works waaay better than sports drinks! This drink mix contains a balanced blend of electrolytes—including potassium, sodium, and magnesium— that’s perfect for everyone. It also includes baobab extract and 75 deep-ocean minerals like molybdenum, magnesium, and vanadium from the Kuroshio Current in the Pacific Ocean. Recharge improves cellular hydration and helps water work more cooperatively with your cells, so you don’t have to work hard to stay hydrated. I love that it’s free from GMOs, preservatives, and artificial ingredients. No added sugar or dyes! It comes in two flavors – Lemon Lime and Wild Strawberry. Add a sachet to your water bottle, shake, and enjoy.
Some last thoughts on enjoying your summer excursions…
Regardless of where you’re going, how you get there, or how long you plan to stay, make sure every summer excursion is supportive and protective so you can enjoy every moment! There are some AMAZING natural supplements and essentials oils that can support and protect every aspect of your health and wellness.
You can learn more about these natural health care products by downloading our free guides and resources:
Foundational Wellness
Foundational Wellness Web Class
Lifelong Vitality
Gut & Digestive Health
Stress & Calm
Soothe Pain
Immune Health
I hope you find this article helpful in planning your next summer excursion! Let me know in the comments what your favorite summer excursion is and your favorite way to get there.
I welcome the opportunity to help you find natural solutions to support you and your family in all the seasons of your life. I invite you to set up a free Wellness Consultation or head over to our doTERRA store and create your personal health tool kit.
Happy summer!
Choose natural. Live healthy. Laugh Often.
Blessings~
Romelia
🙂