With over 300 heat-related deaths occurring in the US each year, protecting ourselves is more important than ever. Dehydration and heat exhaustion can happen quickly, and you want to ensure you are doing everything possible to minimize your exposure.
Thankfully, there are lots of solutions that can help keep you safe so that you can enjoy the summer months. You just need to be extra careful.
Are you interested in learning more? Below we will talk about five tips to protect yourself from the summer heat.
1. Wear sunscreen every day
If you don’t already wear sunscreen every single day, now is the time to get started. Even if you think there is enough cloud cover, you can still be exposed to harmful rays, resulting in a painful sunburn.
Aim to apply a shot-glass size amount 20-30 minutes before heading outside. It’s also best to reapply every two hours, perhaps even earlier if you are swimming for long periods.
2. Shade your eyes
We often spend so much time worrying about our skin that we forget the sun can also cause damage to our eyes. Wearing something like these clip on sunglasses will ensure that you are protected and not just from UV light.
Covering up will also prevent dust and debris from causing irritation. You’ll be significantly reducing the risk of developing health conditions and can reduce speeding up existing ones.
3. Drink plenty of water
Every person should aim to drink around eight 8oz glasses of water a day, especially in summer. While it’s easy to get distracted when enjoying yourself outdoors, dehydration can come with severe consequences.
Thankfully there are plenty of great ways to keep yourself hydrated. Some examples include eating hydrating foods and utilizing app reminders on your phone.
You can read more information here.
4. Avoid exercising outdoors
The hot weather doesn’t mean you have to stop exercising, but you do need to change how you do it. If it’s a sweltering day, try to stay indoors with the air-conditioning on.
If the day is bearable, complete your workout routine in the morning or afternoon before the sun’s peak. It’s also a good idea to take regular breaks to prevent exhaustion.
5. Check the forecast
Finally, in order to ensure that you are prepared for the day, try and get in the habit of checking the weather forecast. If it looks like it will be scorching, throw on an extra loose layer of clothing and apply your sunscreen more regularly.
You’ll also be able to check for dangerous heat warnings that may inform you to stay indoors as much as possible. Knowing if there will be any expected rainfall while you are out and about is also handy.
Final words
There is no reason why you can’t enjoy all the fun that summer has to bring, but it’s still important to protect yourself. By following the above, you can swim, surf, and play in the sunshine while still putting your health first.
