Summer is a wonderful time of year. The temperatures are warm, the sun is out, the days are long, the kids are on vacation, and everyone seems to be in a good mood. At the same time, it’s important to recognize that the hotter weather can bring with it health risks that people need to be aware of. Luckily there are plenty of steps you can take to keep yourself happy, healthy, and protected right through to the fall. Here are some top tips for having a safe and enjoyable summer.
Protect yourself from the sun
The summer months are perfect for outdoor adventures, whether you want to hit the beach, picnic in the park, or walk through the woods. However, it’s vital to protect your skin from the sun when you do so. Sun exposure is key for our health and helps our bodies to produce vitamin D, but too much can result in sunburn and raise the risk of skin cancer. You should always wear sunscreen when you go outside, and don’t forget to reapply it after swimming or sweating. Other ways to protect yourself include wearing sunglasses, wide-brimmed sun hats, and loose clothing that covers your skin.
Alleviate hay fever
Hay fever is a common allergic reaction to pollen, and can result in a range of irritating symptoms such as congestion, itchy eyes, and sneezing. If you suffer from hay fever and don’t want to spend all summer stuck inside, there are ways to relieve your symptoms on days with a high pollen count. These include wearing wraparound sunglasses to stop pollen from getting in your eyes, using petroleum jelly as a barrier to prevent pollen from going in your nose, and ordering medication online from chemistclick.co.uk to treat your symptoms without leaving you feeling drowsy.
Stay hydrated
When the temperature rises we lose more fluids via sweating, so it’s important to make an extra effort to stay hydrated during the summer months. This is especially true if you’re in the sun or exercising. Aim to drink a minimum of six to eight glasses of water a day, and always bring a bottle with you when you go out. Remember that alcohol dehydrates you, so if you’re enjoying a beer in the sunshine always follow it up with a glass of water! Dehydration can cause a number of more serious health issues, so be alert for symptoms such as dizziness, headaches, and a dry mouth.
Keep cool
Heat exhaustion and heatstroke are also a big risk during the hot weather, so make an effort to keep yourself cool this summer. You can do this by staying in the shade when the sun is intense, wearing lightweight clothing, using fans or air conditioning where you can, drinking cold drinks, eating ice cream, and avoiding exercising at the hottest times of day. Staying hydrated also helps. If your home gets very hot, try keeping the curtains closed when the sun is shining directly at the windows. Don’t forget that cars in particular get very hot in the sun, so never leave pets or children inside them unattended.
