Want to have fun in the sun but also be health-conscious and safe? Keep reading to discover some helpful summer health tips that everyone should know and put into practice so that you stay looking and feeling your best!
1. Hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate some more.
The necessity of drinking enough water could not be overstated. Dehydration is most common with rising temperatures, leading to potentially dangerous conditions such as heat stroke. If you struggle to get in your 8 glasses a day, add fruit or other natural flavorings and herbs like mint! Most of all, try to avoid consuming excessive amounts of caffeine and alcohol, as they can worsen dehydration. Concerned about getting in your afternoon energy boost? Try these ways to boost energy without caffeine instead!
2. Follow the CEM rule.
One of the best tips for healthy skin all year round is the CEM rule. The acronym stands for cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing, which should be daily steps in your wellness routine to remove dirt, oils, and dead skin cells and then hydrate the skin. Hot temperatures can irritate dry skin, cause breakouts, and more, so good hygiene habits can help prevent itchy, dry, and irritated skin.
3. Always have SPF within reach…and reapply!
Probably the most important of all summer health tips is to be generous with applying SPF every day. Yes, you need sun protection even on cloudy days. SPF should be a minimum of 30 and reapplied every 2 hours. And don’t just slap a little on your shoulders– do the most to protect your skin by applying SPF to your hands, ears, nose, and scalp/hairline (or better yet, wear a hat that covers both your scalp and your ears.) Also, upgrade your sunglasses to ones that block UVA and UVB light for optimal eye protection!
4. Protect your skin from pesky bugs and itchy plants.
Knowing which plants are the culprits of common summer skin rashes and how to treat poison ivy will make your life much easier if you spend a lot of time outdoors during the summer months. Make sure to stock up on OTC products such as Benedryl, calamine lotion, or hydrocortisone creams, and you’ll be prepared! Also, grabbing bug spray is a must before any hiking trip, a day at the park, or even just relaxing in the backyard.
5. Know the signs of heat exhaustion vs. heat stroke.
Remember to closely monitor elderly friends and neighbors, those with heat-related illnesses, those who take certain medications with temperature-sensitive side effects, and of course, children this summer! Heat exhaustion can be common, leading to even more dangerous heat stroke.
- Heat Exhaustion: symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, heavy sweating, irritability, weakness, and elevated body temperature.
- Heat Stroke: starts with profuse sweating and similar heat exhaustion symptoms, confusion, slurred speech, and a temperature of 104ºF or higher before turning deadly– putting the person into a seizure, coma, or even fatal in some cases.
What should you do to help someone experiencing either heat exhaustion or heat stroke? Take them to a clinic or ER for medical treatment, or call 911 if necessary. Stay with the person until help comes, get the person to a cooler area, remove outer layers of clothing like shoes and socks, give them a cold compress and frequent sips of water.
6. Get creative with seasonal foods and grilling.
Everyone loves a good barbeque, grilled steaks, hamburgers, and hot dogs, but don’t forget your veggies! Fresh salads and fresh fruit make excellent side dishes, but why not throw some things on the grill for something different? Some of our favorite foods to grill include peppers, sweet corn, zucchini, eggplant, pineapple, watermelon, and peaches!
Do you enjoy reading about health and wellness content? Read more summer health tips with these seasonal allergy relief tips and home remedies!
