Beat the Heat

The summer months are well upon us, bringing people out of their caves and into the sunshine. Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors and get back in shape. But summertime has its special set of health hazards, which can often be prevented. F o l l o w i n g are a few basic summer health tips that can help keep the doctor away while you enjoy the fun and sun.

Protect the eyes

The sun’s ultraviolet rays can be harmful to the eyes. Bright sunlight can cause headaches in children. If you’re going to be outdoors for long, be sure your children are wearing sunglasses, a baseball cap or a sun visor.

Protect the skin

Sunscreen is essential in the summertime. It’s most effective to apply sunscreen before getting dressed, so you reach all the skin that might peek out from behind clothing later. Don’t forget the tops of the feet, hands, & ears.

You are either healthy or NOT healthy. The body is either in a maintenance state or in a degenerative state. Unless there is some degree of regeneration, you automatically have degeneration. There is no such thing as neutral with nothing happening.

Health experts say sunscreen alone is not enough. If you’re outdoors in midday, it’s best to physically cover your skin with lightweight clothing.

Health experts recommend on extremely hot days to stay indoors between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Stay hydrated

Children and adults should drink atleast eight glasses of water per day. Don’t wait until you are thirsty. Dehydration can be happening without notice.

In summer heat, avoid caffeinated beverages. Caffeine, which is found in many soft drinks, speeds up dehydration.

Avoid carbonated drinks. They will cause kids to feel bloated and “full” and may make them feel like they don’t need a drink of water.

Watch for heat exhaustion

Heat stress occurs when an overexposure to high temperatures or high humidity causes dizziness, headache, weakness, and nausea.

When outdoor temperatures reach 95 degrees or above, children should avoid exercise or physical activity and drink plenty of water, even if they don’t feel thirsty.

Watch your food

Summer is also a time for great outdoor eating and picnics. Remember, however, that food poisoning is also more common during the summer months. Unfortunately, bacteria love warm weather as much as we do. Perishable or spoilable food should not be left out for more than 2 hours and no more than 1 hour if the temperature is more than 90 F. When in doubt, throw it out!.

Summer is a glorious time of the year for most people. Getting out of the house or apartment and exploring the world does have its hazards, however few basic health tips should help make sure you don’t have to go back inside for the wrong reasons.