We are officially in summer! There is nothing like spending the day at the pool, at the park, or camping with family and friends. However, with the nicer weather comes different challenges in keeping ourselves well. The heat, sun, and bugs can leave us vulnerable. While you are enjoying the outdoors, friends, family, and everything else that comes with summer, keep the following tips in mind.
- Wear protective clothing, including hats and sunglasses – Protecting ourselves from damaging UV rays is one of the best ways to prevent skin cancer. Plus, no one really enjoys having a sunburn.
- Wear sunscreen – If protective clothing isn’t an option, sunscreen is your best friend. Remember to reapply every two hours for the best effect.
- Hydrate – We tend to sweat a little bit more when it’s hot outside, so we need more water to stay well hydrated. Carry a water bottle with you for easy accessibility.
- Limit your outside time during the peak times of day – The sun is hottest and has the strongest UV rays between 10am and 4pm. Try to stay indoors in the shade for the best sun protection.
- Exercise at dusk or dawn – These times tend to be a bit cooler, which allows for a much better exercising experience.
- Practice food safety – Summer cook-outs are always a favorite, but food-borne illness can be a concern. Food is considered safe when it is kept within certain temperature ranges (less than 40 degrees if a cold food, hotter than 140 for hot foods). If a food is not kept in a safe range for two hours, it is safer to discard than to eat. Wash your hands before eating, as well as any produce you plan to serve, either hot or cold.
