Joshua Galyon
While summer can be quite fun with outdoor adventures, it can also be swelteringly hot. While the summer season means higher temperatures and sunny days, it also means a higher risk of developing a heat-related illness like heat stroke, dehydration, or sunburn. Staying safe in the summer heat is important so that you’re able to enjoy the remainder of the season without setbacks in health.
Here are five ways you can effectively safeguard yourself and the people you care about during the hottest months of the year.
1. Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is one of the best ways to stay safe in the summer heat. As temperature increases to a very high temperature, one’s body tends to cool through perspiration, which leads to loss of water. Rehydrate your body with cool water regularly to keep yourself hydrated, even if you aren’t thirsty.
Carry a water bottle and make it a habit to drink it throughout the day. If you wish to drink more, you can have drinks with added electrolytes to replenish the lost minerals. Remember, drinks like coffee, alcohol, and sugar-sweetened soda can dehydrate you, so keep them at a minimum during hot weather.
2. Wear the Right Clothing
What you wear in the heat can enormously change how well you cope with it. Moisture-wicking, breathable clothing options, like those offered in the IBKUL clothing line, are beneficial on sweltering summer days. Also, wear loose-fitting clothing that is not tight on your body because tight clothing tends to trap heat and, with sweating, can make you feel truly miserable. Wearing light-colored clothing is also quite smart, as it reflects, rather than absorbs, the sunlight. Do not forget to wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect your face and eyes.
3. Rest in the Shade
The body needs a break from the heat as temperatures peak. It does not take long for one to succumb to heat exhaustion and, worse still, to heat stroke while basking in the full sun. Whether you are at a beach, park, or lawn in the backyard, take breaks at frequent intervals under any shade.
Find a tree, an umbrella, or other shelter that you can hang out in to cool down a bit. Try to work out or have much of your physical activity done in the cool of the morning or late evening. Remember, when it’s hot, it’s safe to go nice and easy at a slower pace. You’ll thank your body for it.
4. Sunscreen
Sunburn is not only painful; it can put you at a greater risk of skin cancer and aging of your skin. You need to mind your skin from that scorching sun in these months of summer. To do this, cover all exposed skin with a broad-spectrum sunblock with an SPF of at least 30 before venturing outside. Don’t overlook areas that are often ignored, such as the tops of your feet, the back of your neck, and your ears.
Every two hours or more frequently if you’re swimming or perspiring, reapply sunscreen. Regular applications of sunscreen will not only avoid sunburning your skin but also keep it healthy and youthful. It’s a small step that will make a big difference in your summer safety.
5. Eat Light and Refreshing Meals
What you consume during summer is equally crucial and makes a lot of difference in the manner your body reacts to temperature. Rich foods and heavy foods make you feel lethargic because they increase your body temperature, which is not what you need when it’s already a hot day outside. Turn towards lighter, refreshing options that nourish well but also keep you feeling fresh.
Fresh fruits, salads, and vegetables are, of course, the food of summer, as they rehydrate the body with plenty of nutrients. Eating fruits like watermelon, cucumber, or even oranges could do wonders for your hydration. The small and frequent meals will help to keep your system constant without being so overwhelmed with energy.
Conclusion
To be smart about safety in the summer heat, one needs to be active and careful by observing the state of the body according to the temperature. Being well-hydrated, dressing appropriately, seeking shade, using sunscreen, and eating light meals do, however, allow you to engage in all the summer fun safely.
