Lazy days and vacays. For most of us, summer is the time to take a break and unwind. But coming back from vacation can throw us straight back into stress mode, undoing all those positive benefits of relaxation. So, before that happens, it’s a good idea to put some healthy habits in place, to stop stress in its tracks. Here, our Seaport Fit partner NewYork-Presbyterian Lower Manhattan Hospital shares some of their top tips for staying healthy.

Stretch—Your Body and Your Mind

In the NewYork-Presbyterian Health Matters article, 5 Steps to Reduce Stress and its Impact on the Body, NYPBeHealthy well-being coach at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens, Maria Biondi, RDN, CDN, recommends reducing stress through things like mindfulness and gentle stretching. Click through for the complete list.

Get More Sleep

Improving our sleep habits can help keep stress at bay. But how? Among the recommendations shared by neurologist Dr. Daniel Barone of NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell’s Center for Sleep Medicine: Sticking to a regular bedtime and wake-up routine; avoiding caffeine and electronic devices late at night; and exercising regularly. (Free Seaport Fit classes can help with that.)

Eat Light

Let’s face it: it’s easier to eat healthy when it’s nice out. Make the most of the remaining summer days by loading up on fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables. “I love prepping cold recipes that do not require cooking, including mixed salads and summer fruit bowls,” says NewYork-Presbyterian registered dietitian Georgia Giannopoulos. Need some fresh ideas? This Health Matters article features five recipes for simple, light summer dishes to try at home. We’re talking watermelon and feta salad and cool gazpacho. Even fish tacos make the cut.

Looking for more ways to reduce stress and stay healthy this summer and beyond? Bookmark healthmatters.nyp.org for advice from doctors and other experts at NewYork-Presbyterian. Free Seaport Fit classes are also available here at the Seaport, to help keep your body and mind in shape. Book a free class here.