One of the biggest dangers of summer is heat stroke and fatigue. But don’t let that stop you from spending good, quality time out in the fresh summer air. Here are 4 tips to help you stay healthy and safe in the hot summer heat.
Keep your body happy with lots of liquids.
The best way to fight against heat stroke and heat fatigue is… water! It goes without saying, that our bodies absolutely need water to survive. And being out in the sun all day, really depletes our bodies’ water reserves. For this reason, it’s important to constantly be drinking water all day during the summer. Even if you stay indoors. And if you don’t like water (or simply get bored of it), don’t forget that other liquids like seltzer and tea can keep you just as hydrated.
So, how much water should you be drinking a day? It’s said that we need about 11 cups of water a day, but that everyone has their own water needs based on a variety of factors. And, whatever your normal water intake is, you may want to raise it even more for the summer heat.
Just make sure to always take a water bottle with you when you go outside.
Don’t overexert yourself.
When the weather is just so beautiful outside, it’s hard to resist spending hours upon hours out in the fresh summer air. But, it’s important not to overexert yourself. Yes, sunshine is extremely crucial for our bodies. And yes, too much of even a good thing can be a bad thing. It’s all about finding a middle ground, and knowing when to give your body a rest.
If you’re planning to spend a good amount of time outdoors, be sure to stagger the outdoors time with some air-conditioned indoor time. And, make sure to give yourself plenty of moments to rest and catch your breath.
Umbrellas aren’t just for rain.
Using an umbrella against the sun is a nifty trick that can be the barrier between you and a heat stroke. We usually only think to use umbrellas for rain, but they work wonders against the sun’s blazing rays as well. There’s only so much shade you can find on any given street. But with an umbrella, you get to bring the shade with you. And it makes being outdoors in the heat, so much better. So, take your morning walks and evening strolls with a nice big umbrella that keeps you cool and in the shade.
Don’t go to the beach during peak hours.
Even with your big sun umbrella, it’s best to stay clear of peak heat hours. The sun is at its strongest usually between 12 pm and 3 pm. Plan your summer outings for the early morning or late afternoon. And stay in the safety of good air conditioning during peak hours.
This way, you still get some healthy sunshine on your bones, while not overdoing it.
