Everybody loves to have some fun in the sun during the summer. But it’s essential to keep your health and safety in mind during the hot summer months.
Here are five summer health tips for the family.
Drink Plenty of Water
Staying hydrated is important for maintaining good health. It’s especially crucial in the hot summer months.
When the temperature starts to rise, your body produces sweat to cool things down and that dehydrates you. It’s necessary to keep drinking water throughout the day to replenish what is lost from sweating.
Moreover, if you’re active in the heat, you’ll need to drink even more water.
Water can get a bit boring after a while, so it’s okay to mix in some fruit juices once in a while. Just watch out for juice that is high in sugar.
It’s also not a bad idea to avoid foods and drinks that dehydrate you, such as dairy products and alcohol.
Use Proper Sunscreen
The sun is at its peak between 11 am and 2 pm, so it’s especially important to wear sunscreen when you’re out during those hours. Although not all sunscreens will give you the protection, you need.
Look for a sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher, which will protect you from 97% of the sun’s rays. You should apply your sunscreen about fifteen minutes before you leave home and get into the sun.
The reason for this is the sunscreen takes a bit of time to absorb into your skin and begin protecting you. It’s recommended you reapply your sunscreen every half hour, because it can easily be washed off, rubbed off, or sweated off.
Use Safe and Natural Products
A lot of people want to get a nice tan in the summer, and one way to do that is by using natural oils while out suntanning. Some of these oils even provide SPF protection.
“Depending on its level of quality, raspberry oil can offer between SPF 30 and 40, blocking out UVA and UVB rays. Carrot oil offers a comparable level of protection and is used in some artificial sunscreens,” writes Tiffany Pyle, an educator at 1Day2Write and NextCoursework.
These oils are not as effective as sunscreen, but with the proper application, they can provide sun protection using all-natural ingredients.
Be Smart About your Sun Exposure
If you can, plan your outdoor fun before or after that 11 am to 2 pm window to avoid the worst of the sun’s rays. Doing this will help you avoid experiencing fatigue, dehydration, and burns.
You can also lower your risks by choosing to wear light, breathable clothing in the sun rather than playing in your bathing suit. Wear a hat with a wide brim to protect your head and face from sunburn.
Swim Safely
Swimming is one of the most popular summer activities, but you need to be careful when you go into the water. Check the latest inspection report online for any pool you plan to visit.
Chemicals such as chlorine are added to kill bacteria but the mishandling of these chemicals can cause injuries. Be sure the operator of the pool or waterpark has a record of responsibility with these things.
It’s also smart to make sure you and your children know how to swim and tread water by taking swimming lessons. Follow these summer health tips for the family to ensure a fun-filled and safe summer time.
Asides from swimming, there are other fun family summer activities. These activities allow for plenty of interaction and bonding.
